Hit the Sack

Definition

Hit the sack is an idiom meaning to go to bed or go to sleep.

Parts of Speech

• Idiom
• Phrasal verb (intransitive)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hɪt ðə sæk/
• Respelling: HIT the SAK

Etymology

Early 20th century American slang: “sack” as mattress or bed, “hit” in the sense of “go to” or “lie down on.”

Derivatives

• hits the sack (3rd person)
• hit the sack (past tense)
• hitting the sack (gerund/participle)

Synonyms

• hit the hay
• turn in
• crash
• go to bed

Antonyms

• rise
• stay up
• get up

Usage

The idiom "hit the sack" is used in informal spoken and written contexts to indicate going to bed or falling asleep, typically after a long or tiring day. For example, "I’ve got an early meeting tomorrow—I’m going to hit the sack," or "After studying all night, she finally hit the sack at dawn."

Related Terms

• Bed: A piece of furniture for sleep or rest.
• Sleep: A natural state of rest for the mind and body.
• Hit the hay: A synonym idiom meaning to go to bed.
• Turn in: Informal phrase meaning to go to bed.
• Crash: Slang for going to sleep abruptly or deeply.

Detailed Definitions

Idiom / Phrasal Verb

• To go to bed – to retire for the night.
  • Example: "I’m exhausted—I'm going to hit the sack early tonight."
• To go to sleep – to fall asleep.
  • Example: "It took him only a few minutes to hit the sack once his head hit the pillow."