This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
no more
general food shop

Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

Catch some zzz\'s

English answer:

catch forty winks

Added to glossary by Sarita Mardon
Nov 22, 2011 09:45
12 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term

Catch some zzz's

Non-PRO English Art/Literary General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Hi, I'm trying to find a similar expression that corresponds better with British English. Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks!
Responses
4 +3 catch forty winks
4 +6 Get some shut-eye
4 +5 grab some kip
4 +3 have a nap

Discussion

AllegroTrans Nov 22, 2011:
Agree completely with last comment The 4 suggestions (so far) are all "British" English, but the decision now depends on level of formality/informality, age group, and of course, the rest of the document (if there is a document)
Oliver Lawrence Nov 22, 2011:
The four solutions (so far) are all great; the deciding factor will be just how informal your context is (whether slangy expressions are acceptable/required) and whether, as others have commented, it is particularly youth-oriented.
Andrew Mason Nov 22, 2011:
Comment Charles, perfectly put.... BTW I have no problem with my age!!
Charles Davis Nov 22, 2011:
Register Hi Sarita. If I may, I'd like to say that both the suggestions so far, "grab some kip" and "get some shut-eye", are absolutely authentic British expressions. Both are colloquial; the difference, I'd say, is that "grab some kip" is more likely to be said by a younger person and "get some shut-eye" by someone of more mature years (such as myself or Andrew, judging by his photo: no offence, Andrew!). There is arguably an element of social class in this too; "shut-eye" is somewhat more genteel than "kip", which is slang.
Sarita Mardon (asker) Nov 22, 2011:
Hi, sorry for lack of context. Yes I do mean an idiomatic UK English expression for getting some sleep, thanks.

Responses

+3
16 mins
Selected

catch forty winks

I understand that this is used in both the UK and the US.
What is the history of the phrase forty winks?
It comes from an 1872 issue of Punch, the British humor magazine. Punch referred to the Thirty-nine Articles of faith of the Church of England, joking that actually reading through...
http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-history...; In American English there is a nice phrase "to take a cat nap", but this does not seem to be as common an expression in the UK.
Idle thoughts | Money | The Guardian
www.guardian.co.uk/money/.../careers.work6 - Traducir esta página
4 Feb 2006 – On the bench I was free: I could read, eat, observe the world around me, sink into a pleasant reverie or even catch forty winks. ...; Pupils walk out of ... - East London and West Essex Guardian Series
www.guardian-series.co.uk/.../4377621.LOUGH... - Traducir esta página
18 May 2009 – East London and West Essex Guardian Series .... as would every sixth former surreptitiously trying to catch forty winks after another impossibly ...
Peer comment(s):
agree Andrew Mason : Following on from Charles's comments this is probably the most genteel of the suggestions so far
42 mins
Thanks very much, Andrew.
neutral B D Finch : Only if it is short.
43 mins
The context is not clear here. The asker will know what fits the context best.
agree Sheila Wilson : Possible. However, I don't know it would be suitable for a young readership (if that's the case here). My mother used to say this back in the 50s and it seems a bit dated to me.
10 hrs
Thanks, Sheila. The asker will have to choose based on the context.
agree eski : Also good! eski :))
1 day 9 hrs
Cheers and thanks, eski.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+5
3 mins

grab some kip

One option.
Peer comment(s):
agree Charles Davis
3 mins
Thank you
agree Andrew Mason : Pretty good also
5 mins
Thanks
agree Aisha Maniar : or "get" some kip
31 mins
Thanks and yes "Get some kip" works too.
agree Noni Gilbert Riley
46 mins
Thankyou
agree B D Finch : "have a kip"
56 mins
Thanks. "Have a kip" is good as well.
Something went wrong...
+6
4 mins

Get some shut-eye

Without context it is a little difficult to be sure but I am assuming your expression means getting some sleep. If that is not the case then ignore my suggestion.
Peer comment(s):
agree Charles Davis
2 mins
Many thanks Charles
agree Sarah Bessioud
2 mins
Many thanks, ????
agree Noni Gilbert Riley
45 mins
Thanks
agree B D Finch : Though this might be slightly dated?// Both of us I fear!
56 mins
Like me you mean.........
agree Paul Lambert : Yes, this works, but is also said on the other side of the puddle.
2 hrs
agree eski
1 day 9 hrs
Something went wrong...
+3
43 mins

have a nap

This is probably the most neutral way of saying it, and works equally well on both sides of the Atlantic, I think.
Peer comment(s):
agree Noni Gilbert Riley : As you say, more neutral, but unless there is some reason that the expression has to be overtly colloquial, this also works well.
7 mins
Thanks Aceavila.
agree Ty Kendall : This is the one I use all the time (I'm fond of naps) and I'm British. The other suggestions are possible but more marked for sure.
54 mins
Indeed. Thanks Ty.
agree Tina Vonhof (X)
6 hrs
Thanks Tina.
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search