[Idiom] CATCH SOME Z'S. - Understanding Sleepy Expressions in English
Catch some z's.
take a nap or sleep
If someone tells you they need to 'catch some z's', they're not about to grab something tangible. Instead, they are saying, in a casual and playful manner, that they want to sleep or are planning to go to sleep. The idiom uses the letter 'Z' to represent the sound of snoring, which is commonly associated with sleeping. Originating from comic books where 'Z' was often used in speech bubbles to indicate that a character is sleeping, this expression conveys the idea of resting your eyes and recharging through sleep. It's a universally understood term and a light-hearted way to express the need for some shut-eye.
Example Sentences
I need to catch some z's before the big test.
I need to get some sleep before the big test.
After the long flight, she just wanted to catch some z's.
After the long flight, she just wanted to sleep.
He tried to catch some z's during the long layover.
He tried to sleep during the long layover.