Night owl

Definitions

• someone who stays up late at night
  Describing a person who prefers to be awake and active during the night, rather than during the day

• someone who works late at night
  Referring to a person who works or is productive during the late hours of the night

Examples of Night owl

• She's a real night owl - she stays up late reading books and watching movies.

  This is a common way to use the idiom "night owl" to describe someone who is naturally more active and productive in the evening hours. It implies that this person typically goes to bed very late at night, sometimes even in the early hours of the morning, due to a preference for staying up and working or enjoying leisure activities.

• I'm not much of a night owl myself, but after a long day, it's nice to chill out and relax with a good book under a soft lamp.

  Here, the speaker is admitting that they are not someone who typically stays up late, but perhaps they have been working or feeling exhausted, and they find it pleasant to wind down in the evening with a laid-back activity like reading, accompanied by a cozy atmosphere.

• He's a true night owl - he's still working on his laptop at three in the morning.

  Using the phrase "true night owl" conveys that this person is a classic example of someone who prefers to be active at night. It emphasizes the depth of their preference and implies that their nocturnal habits are a defining characteristic of their personality.

• School nights can be tough for night owls - it's hard to balance late-night assignments with a desire to get enough sleep.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to explore the potential difficulties of being a night owl in certain contexts. This particular example speaks to the tension that can arise between wanting to stay up late and fulfilling academic responsibilities, which can be challenging when trying to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

• Sarah is a night owl when it comes to working on her projects. She tends to stay up late into the night, hardly getting any sleep, and is most productive during the wee hours of the morning.

  The idiom "night owl" refers to a person who is normally active during the night, such as staying up late into the night, and is more productive during the late evening or early morning hours. This expression could also imply that the person has difficulty sleeping or is a "night person" who prefers the quiet and solitude that comes with nighttime. In Sarah's case, she is a night owl with regards to her work, which allows her to focus and be more productive during the late evening and early morning hours when others may be sleeping.

Conclusion

The idiom "night owl" is used to describe someone who prefers to be awake and active during the late hours of the night, rather than during the day. It can also refer to someone who is productive or works late at night. This term is often used to affectionately or humorously describe someone's nocturnal habits.

Origin of "Night owl"

The origin of the idiom "night owl" can be traced back to ancient times when owls were associated with the night and darkness. In many cultures, owls were seen as mysterious and wise creatures that were active during the night. This association with the night led to the term "night owl" being used to describe people who preferred to be awake and active during the late hours.

The idiom became popular in the English language in the 19th century and has since been commonly used to describe individuals who stay up late or work during the night. The term has evolved to encompass both the preference for being awake at night and the productivity during late hours, and it continues to be widely used in modern English.