retires to bed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retires to bed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone going to bed, often implying a sense of formality or routine. Example: "After a long day at work, she usually retires to bed by 10 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

After eating the omelette he retires to bed and picks up his previous night's dream of Julieta.

The New York Times - Books

Miserable, Bertie retires to bed, where he is visited in a dream by a vision of his toothbrush, which gives him a Jacob Marley-esque dressing down.

The New York Times - Books

When he eventually retires to bed some time after 6am, it's with the appreciative whoops of pretty Italian girls still ringing in his ears – and there can't be many doctors of mathematics who can say that.

The Guardian - Music

Cooper retires to bed at his hotel room, and experiences a strange dream that takes place in a room hung with red curtains.

Wikipedia

For example, if the patient has to self-administer the MLMDT after dinner, the first dose will provide immediate release and will persist until the patient retires to bed.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We retire to bed.

The Guardian

I retired to bed.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Cameron is known to have retired to bed early.

Independent

Have a hot bath and retire to bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using this phrase. While grammatically correct, it might sound unusual in casual conversations or informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "retires to bed" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "goes to bed" or "turns in" to maintain a natural and relatable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retires to bed" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the action of going to sleep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in narratives to describe characters ending their day.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retires to bed" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon way of saying someone is going to sleep. As Ludwig AI validates, it's usable, albeit with a slightly formal or old-fashioned feel. Its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While correct, simpler alternatives like "goes to bed" are often preferred in modern contexts. Therefore, while technically correct, consider your audience and desired tone when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goes to bed

A direct and neutral alternative.

goes to sleep

More common and less formal.

turns in for the night

A common idiom for going to bed.

settles in for the night

Suggests preparing for sleep.

hits the hay

An informal idiom for going to bed.

calls it a night

Indicates ending the day and going to bed.

beds down

Implies finding a place to sleep, sometimes temporarily.

seeks slumber

A more poetic and less common alternative.

repairs to the bedroom

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

withdraws for the evening

Suggests a retreat to a private space for the night.

FAQs

What does "retires to bed" mean?

The phrase "retires to bed" means to go to bed or go to sleep. It implies a sense of formality or routine when someone is going to bed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "retires to bed"?

The phrase "retires to bed" is appropriate when you want to convey a sense of formality or tradition. It's suitable for historical contexts or when describing someone with old-fashioned habits.

What are some alternatives to "retires to bed"?

You can use alternatives such as "goes to bed", "turns in", or "hits the hay" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "retires to bed" more formal than "goes to bed"?

Yes, "retires to bed" is more formal than "goes to bed". The former suggests a more deliberate or traditional act of going to sleep.