steal some sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steal some sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to try to get some rest or sleep, usually when one does not have the time or opportunity to do so. For example, "After a long day at work, I'm exhausted, but I still have an essay to write. I guess I'll have to steal some sleep this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dr. Sri was even able to steal some sleep in a small anteroom.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The pair then make for the camp of some allies of the Trojans, where they kill a handful of sleeping men and steal some fabulous horses.

The New Yorker

Stealing some guys stereo or sleeping with his girlfriend is just not a smart move.

WikiHow

Because of inadequate treatment and housing, the mentally ill are extremely vulnerable to arrest for avoidable nuisance crimes -- it is as simple as stealing some food from a store, sleeping on a bench in a public park, or shouting back at voices in the middle of the night.

Huffington Post

Diana Ross means to steal our sleep.

The New York Times

I tiptoe to the edge and, lying down flat, my hands clutching the cliff's rough stone, I peer over the precipice to see something that would steal the sleep from the most heat-tired of eyes.

The Guardian - Travel

Heatley is facing a lifetime of daily remorse, of haunting images he can't blink away, of guilt that will steal his sleep, of profound sadness that will interrupt a routine moment.

The New York Times - Sports

That night, Claire sleeps with Ray, drugs him, and steals some secret documents from his hotel room.

The New Yorker

No secret that the sun andmoon have always slept in separate beds.Gives some steel, steals some time andcalls it "borrowed," bruises and calls it"something blue".

The New Yorker

Friday jumped over the wall and stole some stone angels from a grave, intending to place them beside the club chairman Frank Waller, who was sleeping on the coach.

Wikipedia

"I stole some make-up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steal some sleep" when you want to emphasize that the sleep is taken quickly, opportunistically, or from time that should be used for something else.

Common error

Avoid using "steal some sleep" in formal contexts where the slightly negative connotation of 'stealing' might be inappropriate. Opt for more neutral phrases like "get some rest".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steal some sleep" functions as an idiomatic expression, acting as a verb phrase that signifies the action of getting sleep in a hurried, opportunistic, or perhaps even slightly unauthorized manner. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "steal some sleep" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's best suited for informal contexts when you want to convey the idea of getting sleep quickly or opportunistically. While it appears in news media, its use is more common in casual conversation than in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "grab some sleep" or "catch some sleep" for similar meanings, and avoid using it in overly formal settings. The examples illustrate its common usage in describing the need for rest amidst busy schedules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch some sleep

Replaces "steal" with "catch", focusing on seizing an opportunity for sleep.

grab some sleep

Replaces "steal" with "grab", emphasizing a quick or opportunistic acquisition of sleep.

snatch some sleep

Replaces "steal" with "snatch", highlighting a brief and hurried period of sleep.

get some shuteye

A more informal way of saying "get some sleep"

get a nap in

Focuses on the act of taking a short period of sleep.

squeeze in some shut-eye

Uses a more informal and descriptive expression for getting a short sleep.

get a bit of rest

Generalizes the idea to any form of rest, not specifically sleep.

catch a wink

Emphasizes a very short and light period of sleep.

find time to rest

Shifts the focus to the challenge of locating the time for rest.

make time for a nap

Highlights the active effort required to create a space for sleep.

FAQs

What does "steal some sleep" mean?

The idiom "steal some sleep" means to find an opportunity to sleep or rest, especially when time is limited or the opportunity is unexpected. It implies getting sleep in a rushed or perhaps slightly illicit manner, as though taking it from other obligations.

How can I use "steal some sleep" in a sentence?

You can use "steal some sleep" when you want to express that you are taking time to rest from other obligations. For example: "After working overtime, I need to "steal some sleep" before starting on the household chores."

What can I say instead of "steal some sleep"?

You can use alternatives like "grab some sleep", "catch some sleep", or "snatch some sleep" depending on the context. These alternatives similarly convey the idea of getting sleep quickly or opportunistically.

Is "steal some sleep" formal or informal?

"Steal some sleep" is generally considered an informal idiom. It's suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing but may not be appropriate for professional or academic contexts. In those cases, a more neutral term like "get some rest" may be better.