Going to bed is the easiest way of saying you’re tired and want to sleep already but, we want to source up the way we call ‘going to bed’. Below is a list of 10 British slang you can use to replace the word ‘going to bed’, so you can have a wider vocabulary and have fun with words!
British Slang For Going to Bed (In Alphabetical Order)
Call It a Night
- Meaning:
- (Expression) ‘Call it a night’ means to end an activity and go home and go to bed. It is a common British lang in the UK and also the US used when you want to end engagements and go to bed.
- Example: My guests called it a night and I myself were ready for bed.
Catch Some Z’s
- Meaning:
- (Expression) The expression ‘catch some z’s means you are going to bed. It is British slang that’s used to tell someone you are going to bed. It is often heard and used by younger people when they want to head home early.
- Example: This was a fun party but I need to catch some z’s.
Check Out
- Meaning:
- (Expression) ‘Check out’ is a phrase that the Brits use to say goodnight. This British slang means ‘going to bed’. In other countries, ‘check out’ means checking something you like out, or checking out of your hotel room. This is not a common expression and is used by the older generation when they want to leave and go to bed.
- Example: I’m tired; I’m going to check out now.
Climb The Wooden Hill
- Meaning:
- (Phrase) The phrase ‘climb the wooden hill’ is often used with ‘put the kids to bed.’ The British slang is peculiar so usage of the phrase has declined over the years, primarily in the United Kingdom.
- Example: We’ve had a long day, so quickly climb the wooden hills.
Hit The Hay
- Meaning:
- (Expression) ‘Hit the hay’ dates back to 1900 when soft hay was once a person’s bed and pillow. Today, it’s a funny British slang that a couple of people still use. This phrase means ‘go to bed.’
- Example: I’ll have an early start tomorrow, so I’m going to hit the hay early tonight.
Hit the Sack
- Meaning:
- (Expression) ‘Hit the sack’ is British slang for ‘going to bed.’ This British slang is not that different from ‘going to bed’. The slang is the same as ‘hit the hay’ and this expression dates back centuries ago when workers and farmers use this term to say good night. Today, it is not that popular but some British countries still use this slang.
- Example: She’s tired from the day’s activities so she’ll hit the sack in a while.
Kip Down
- Meaning:
- (Expression) British people use the phrase ‘kip down’ to express they are going to sleep. The British slang for ‘going to bed’ is widely used today but is not common in other countries, so it might be confusing when you are new to this expression.
- Example: Tone down your voices for your mother is trying to kip down.
Off to Bedfordshire
- Meaning:
- (Expression) The Brits love a good laugh, so they usually use ‘Off to Bedfordshire’ when going to bed. This British slang is popular in the UK and is used as humorous slang between friends and colleagues.
- Example: Finally, he’s tired and off to Bedfordshire!
Snooze
- Meaning:
- (noun) The word ‘snooze’ is a term used to turn off your alarm for 10 minutes. When you snooze your alarm, you go back to sleeping even for a few minutes before your alarm goes off again. This term has become a widely used British slang that means ‘going to bed’.
- Example: I’m going to snooze now. I have a test at 7 o’clock in the morning.
Time to Retire
- Meaning:
- (Expression) ‘Time to retire’ is a formal expression of ‘going to bed’ but is now common British slang. Back in the day, older people would use this expression to tell someone they were tired and ready for bed.
- Example: It’s time to retire for we have to leave at dawn tomorrow.
