nod off

British  

verb

1. informal (intr, adverb) to fall asleep

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nod off Idioms  

1. Fall asleep momentarily, doze, as in Grandma spends a lot of time in her rocking chair, nodding off now and then. This expression alludes to the quick involuntary dropping of one's head from an upright position when drowsy or napping. The verb nod alone was so used from the mid-1500s. Also see drop off, def. 1.

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Example Sentences

During business hours, they were welcome to use the store’s water fountains, its bathrooms, its electricity, to read in the reading nook, or nod off, if need be.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

For at least the past several years, lawyers say, he has appeared at times to nod off on the bench.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

He seems to nod off in public meetings, and afterward, his staff denies it happened.

From Salon • Nov. 14, 2025

In earlier episodes, we see him nod off at his cubicle and he experiences vivid dreams where black goo is emanating from his desk.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2025

I start to nod off in my chair when Andrés pokes me in the shoulder and tells me we’re going to ride horses.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Related Words

• bed down
• doze
• fall asleep
• languish
• relax
• snooze