retired to bed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retired to bed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has gone to bed, often implying that they are finished with their activities for the day. Example: "After a long day at work, she retired to bed early to get some rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I retired to bed.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Cameron is known to have retired to bed early.

Independent

Given the early hour, Thomas is surprised to find that Mary has already retired to bed.

The New Yorker

I took a nightcap in the comfortable, modern dining car, planned a breakfast of Loch Fyne smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and retired to bed.

The New York Times - Travel

On Tuesday evening, Nazim helped with paperwork for the new job Matthew would start the following morning and then they retired to bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By mid-November, too weak to walk, he retired to bed to tackle "the grisly job" of typing the book on his "decrepit typewriter" by himself.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We retire to bed.

The Guardian

Have a hot bath and retire to bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sated, we retire to bed, only half-thinking about the next morning's 14-mile run.

The Guardian - Travel

The American girl sees a couple courting before retiring to bed.

The Guardian

In the face of 15 voices yelling about limited markets and globalisation, I retire to bed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retired to bed" when you want to add a touch of formality or suggest that the person has completed their activities for the day. It's particularly useful in narrative writing to set a scene or convey a sense of closure.

Common error

Avoid using "retired to bed" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "went to bed" or "turned in" are more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retired to bed" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of going to bed. Ludwig examples show its use in describing daily routines or end-of-day activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retired to bed" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe someone going to sleep. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is usable in written English to convey that someone has gone to bed, often implying they've finished their activities for the day. While simple alternatives like "went to bed" are available, "retired to bed" adds a touch of formality and narrative closure. It is frequently found in news media and slightly more formal contexts. When writing, consider your desired tone, and use simpler terms in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went to bed

A straightforward and common alternative.

retired for the evening

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the evening.

went to sleep

A simple and direct way of saying someone went to bed.

turned in for the night

Implies the end of the day's activities and preparation for sleep.

took to bed

Emphasizes the action of getting into bed.

hit the hay

An informal and idiomatic way to say someone went to bed.

called it a night

Indicates the decision to end the day's activities and go to bed.

sought one's rest

A more formal way of saying someone went to bed.

sought repose

A formal alternative highlighting the need for rest.

went to slumber

A poetic way of saying someone went to bed.

FAQs

What does "retired to bed" mean?

The phrase "retired to bed" means to go to bed, often implying the end of the day's activities. It carries a slightly more formal tone than simply "went to bed".

Is "retired to bed" a common phrase?

While not as common as "went to bed", "retired to bed" is still frequently used in literature and news reporting to describe someone going to sleep, especially when conveying a sense of finality or routine.

What are some alternatives to "retired to bed"?

You can use alternatives such as "went to bed", "turned in for the night", or "hit the hay" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "retired to bed"?

It's appropriate to use "retired to bed" in formal writing, historical narratives, or when you want to add a touch of elegance or finality to the act of going to sleep. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are generally preferred.