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

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

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

Trump's facial expressions weren't always clear through the feed, though he at times appeared to watch Cohen intently and at least once seemed to nod off.

From Salon • May 14, 2024

If he did nod off, I missed it from my seat in the overflow courtroom—where almost all of the media will be watching from during the pendency of jury selection.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2024

The mantel clock gave off a satisfying tock-tick, tock-tick, tock-tick sound that made the wallpaper roses look like they might nod off to sleep.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Related Words

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