retiring to bed

USAGE SUMMARY

'retiring to bed' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate the end of the day, or to refer to someone going to bed at night. For example, "After a long day of work, she retired to bed early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

Meanwhile on Planet Concordia, alongside two other members on the base, I had succumbed to a bug of some sort and returned to the bathroom once more, before retiring to bed nauseated with abdominal cramps.

The New York Times

On June 26 they watched their first game of rugby league on TV – the first half of Hull KR v Huddersfield – in the hotel before retiring to bed with jet-lag.

The Guardian - Sport

The Dalai Lama leads an ascetic life, rising before dawn to meditate and spending much of his time reading, thinking and taking long walks before retiring to bed at about 8.30pm.

The Guardian

HIS AND HERS: Most weeks, the hawkish and the mawkish coexist peacefully on the fiction list: it's not hard to picture an old married couple retiring to bed with separate but equal best sellers by, say, Daniel Silva and Danielle Steel.

The New York Times - Books

According to a report on the event in the Guardian, this is a man – he's known at work as "Scruffy" – who once picked up the wrong suitcase at a conference before retiring to bed and the next day appeared in the other man's clothes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retiring to bed" when you want to convey a sense of finality or routine, especially at the end of the day.

Common error

Avoid using "retiring to bed" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "going to bed" or "going to sleep" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retiring to bed" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the act of going to sleep. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe ending the day and preparing for sleep, reflecting a sense of closure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retiring to bed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic expression that indicates going to sleep, often at the end of the day. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides examples across various contexts. The phrase has a neutral register. While suitable for general use, simpler alternatives like "going to bed" might be preferable in casual settings. The phrase is found primarily in News & Media and Science sources. Overall, "retiring to bed" is a reliable and easily understood way to describe the act of going to sleep.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to bed

A simpler and more direct way of saying the same thing.

going to sleep

More general term for starting to sleep; lacks the implication of ending the day.

turning in for the night

Implies settling in for sleep specifically at night.

calling it a night

Indicates ending activities for the day and preparing for sleep.

drifting off to sleep

Emphasizes the gradual transition into sleep.

hitting the hay

An informal way of saying going to bed.

going to slumber

A more poetic or old-fashioned way of describing going to sleep.

preparing for sleep

Highlights the actions taken before actually sleeping.

seeking repose

Focuses on the rest and relaxation aspect of going to bed.

heading off to dreamland

A whimsical way to describe going to sleep.

FAQs

What does "retiring to bed" mean?

The phrase "retiring to bed" means going to bed or preparing for sleep, often implying the end of the day's activities.

What can I say instead of "retiring to bed"?

You can use alternatives like "going to bed", "going to sleep", or "turning in for the night" depending on the context.

Is "retiring to bed" formal or informal?

The phrase "retiring to bed" leans towards the formal side, though it's generally acceptable in neutral contexts. Simpler phrases are suitable for informal settings.

How to use "retiring to bed" in a sentence?

Example: "After a long day, she was looking forward to "retiring to bed" with a good book."