Forty winks Meaning in English
expression
ˈfɔɹti/ /ˈwɪŋks
FOR-tee WINKS
fˈɔːti/ /wˈɪŋks
FAW-tee WINKS
Definition
A short, light sleep or nap, usually taken during the day to feel refreshed.
Usage & Nuances
It's an old-fashioned, informal idiom, mostly used playfully or humorously. Usually refers to a nap much shorter than regular sleep. Common in phrases like 'catch forty winks' or 'grab forty winks.' Rarely used in formal writing.
Spanish: siestecita - cabezada - dormir un pocoPortuguese (BR): cochilada - soneca - pestanaPortuguese (PT): sesta curta - pestanaChinese (Simplified): 打个盹 - 小睡Chinese (Traditional): 打個盹 - 小睡Hindi: झपकीArabic: غفوة قصيرةBengali: কিছুক্ষণ ঘুম - ঝটপট ঘুমRussian: короткий сон - вздремнутьJapanese: ちょっと寝る - 仮眠をとるVietnamese: ngủ chợp mắt - chợp mắtKorean: 잠깐 눈을 붙이다 - 짧은 낮잠Turkish: kısa kestirmek - şekerleme yapmakUrdu: تھوڑی دیر کی نیند - جھپکیIndonesian: tidur sejenak - tidur sebentar
Example Sentences
I need to have forty winks before dinner.
basic
After work, he likes to catch forty winks on the sofa.
basic
She closed her eyes for forty winks during lunch break.
basic
If I could just grab forty winks, I'd feel so much better.
natural
He snuck away from the party to get forty winks upstairs.
natural
Some days, all you need is forty winks to recharge.
natural