fall asleep

Idioms  

1. Go to sleep; also, cease paying attention. For example, As soon as the lights were dimmed he fell asleep, or His lectures are so dull that I fall asleep. The literal usage, which uses the verb fall in the sense of “succumb,” dates from about 1300; the figurative is several centuries newer. Also see asleep at the switch.

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Example Sentences

I’ll typically play a minimum of about three games before my eyes start to close because they’re trying to fall asleep.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026

"As a mother myself, I couldn't even fall asleep at night and images kept flashing in my memory," she said.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

He says you won't fall asleep the second the final whistle blows either because "you're going to get so energised, it'll be difficult to wind down".

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

I fall asleep in Salmon’s bunk bed, lulled by Dragon Masters 5: Song of the Poison Dragon.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

He says they like to lie in the warm sun, and sometimes they fall asleep and get surprised when you accidentally wake them up.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Related Words

• bed down
• doze
• languish
• relax
• snooze