Idioms

hit the hay | hit the sack

This page is about the idiom hit the hay | hit the sack

American English

Meaning

If you hit the hay, or hit the sack, you go to bed.

For example

  • It's after midnight so it's time I hit the hay.

  • You look really tired. What time did you hit the sack last night?

Origin: Probably related to the fact that in the U.S.A. in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century mattresses often consisted of old sacks filled with hay or straw.

Variety

This idiom is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

I'd better hit the hay. I have to

a. finish this job right now

b. feed the horses

c. get up early in the morning
a) finish this job right now b) feed the horses c) get up early in the morning

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey