hit the sack
Meaning
To go to bed or go to sleep, usually because you’re tired or it’s late.
Origin
From early 20th‑century American slang: “sack” meant bed (possibly from “sacking,” a mattress stuffed with sackcloth). “Hit” suggests turning in/going to it.
Notes
Casual, spoken. Often implies you’re tired or it’s late and you’re calling it a night. Not formal; in writing or formal contexts, use “go to bed/go to sleep.”
Examples
-
I’m exhausted—I'm going to hit the sack early tonight.
-
We’ve got an early flight, so let’s hit the sack now.
-
After studying for hours, she finally hit the sack around midnight.
-
If you’re feeling sick, you should hit the sack and get some rest.
-
He turned off the TV and hit the sack as soon as the movie ended.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a verb phrase: hit the sack/bed. Tense changes: hit/hit; hitting. Often with “I’m going to,” “time to.” Article “the” is fixed.
Synonyms
- go to bed
- turn in
- hit the hay
- call it a night
Antonyms
- stay up
- pull an all-nighter