Hit the sack

Meaning

The idiom "hit the sack" means to go to bed, rest, or sleep. It can also mean to leave or end something quickly or abruptly, such as a job or relationship.

Usage

• "I'm tired and ready to hit the sack."
• "After working long hours, John finally hit the sack."
• "She decided to hit the sack early to get a good night's sleep before her exam tomorrow."
• "The company announced layoffs and many employees hit the sack, looking for new jobs."
• "When he found out about his wife's affair, John hit the sack and didn't come back until morning."

Roots and History

The origin of "hit the sack" is unclear, but one theory suggests that it comes from the old English phrase "hit the hay," which meant to go to bed or sleep. Another theory is that it comes from the phrase "hit the deck," which was used in naval warfare to signal a ceasefire and surrender. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to include not just going to bed, but also ending something quickly or abruptly.

Synonyms in English

• Go to bed
• Sleep
• Rest
• End something
• Quit

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "ir a dormir" (go to sleep)
• French: "aller au lit" (go to bed)
• German: "schlafen" (sleep)
• Italian: "andare a letto" (go to bed)
• Japanese: "眠れる" (sleep)

Similar Idioms

• head above water

• head-on

• Herculean task