PhrasesHub

To hit the sack

    Definitions

      • to go to bed
        Informal way of saying "I'm going to bed now" or "I'm going to sleep"

      • to be exhausted or tired
        Used when someone has worked hard or been busy and needs to rest

      • to engage in sexual activity
        Slang term for having sex, often used in a playful or humorous manner

    Examples of To hit the sack

    • After a long day, John said he was exhausted and needed to hit the sack.

      This idiom is used to mean going to bed. It originated from the old phrase "to hit the hay," which was shortened to "to hit the sack." The sack refers to the bed, as it may have been filled with straw or other materials to make it more comfortable. Today, the phrase is used more generally to mean going to sleep or getting into bed.

    • Maria's kids were so tired after their soccer game that they hit the sack as soon as they got home.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a sentence to describe someone going to bed immediately after an activity. In this case, the children were so tired from playing soccer that they went straight to bed as soon as they got home.

    • Tom said he'd hit the sack early tonight since he had an important meeting tomorrow morning.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to indicate that someone is going to bed earlier than usual. In this case, Tom had an important meeting the next morning, so he decided to go to bed early to ensure he got enough sleep.

    • After a long night of partying, Sarah was relieved to finally hit the sack.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe someone going to bed after a long period of being awake. In this case, Sarah had been partying all night, and she was relieved to finally be able to go to bed and get some rest.

    • Jake's wife reminded him that it was getting late and suggested he hit the sack.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a sentence to indicate that someone is being advised to go to bed. In this case, Jake's wife suggested that he go to bed because it was getting late.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hit the sack" is primarily used to express the act of going to bed or falling asleep. It can also be used to indicate exhaustion or the need for rest. However, it can also have a more risqué meaning, referring to engaging in sexual activity.

    In all of its meanings, "hit the sack" is a casual and informal phrase, often used in spoken language. It is also commonly used in American English, but may not be as familiar to speakers of British English.

    Origin of "To hit the sack"

    The origin of the idiom "hit the sack" is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of sailors in the 1800s, who would literally hit their hammocks (or "sacks") in order to make them more comfortable before sleeping.

    Another theory suggests that it comes from the tradition of hitting a bed or pillow to get rid of any dust or insects before sleeping. This was a common practice in the days before modern cleaning methods.

    Regardless of its origin, "hit the sack" has been used in its current form since at least the early 1900s, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent throughout the years. It is now a well-known and commonly used idiom in the English language.