Hit the hay

Meaning

"To hit the hay" is an idiom that means to go to bed or retire early. The phrase likely refers to the act of lying down on a pile of hay (or other material) to rest, which was a common practice in rural areas before mattresses were widely available.

Usage

• After working long hours at the office, John finally hit the hay and went straight to bed without even eating dinner.
• She's always been an early riser, but after hitting the hay last night, she slept through her alarm.
• When I heard the news, I hit the hay immediately to escape the stress of the day.
• It's a tradition that we follow every year at harvest time - after working hard in the fields all day, we hit the hay and have a big feast together.
• We had planned to go out for drinks, but when my head started spinning from the heat and alcohol, I knew it was time to hit the hay and get some rest.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it has been used in English since at least the 16th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the old practice of lying down on a pile of hay as a way to cool off during hot weather. Another theory proposes that it may have originated from the idea of retiring early to prepare for the next day's work, similar to how someone might "hit the hay" before going to bed.

Synonyms in English

• Go to bed/retire early
• Turn off work/end workday
• Head home/go back to the house

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Aller au lit" (to go to bed)
• Spanish: "Irme al cama" (to go to bed)
• Italian: "Andare a letto" (to go to bed)
• German: "Schlafen gehen" (to go to bed)

Similar Idioms

• stand your ground

• zonk out

• head start