Your neighbor’s dog didn’t stop barking until the sun came up and the bags under your eyes are physical proof of your suffering. Or maybe your flight was cancelled and you had to spend the night on the floor of the airport listening to the soothing sounds of what can only be described as a giant suffering from sleep apnea. And then there’s the pre-exam all nighters, the crying baby wake up calls, and the tone-deaf neighbor who took up drumming. All in all, there are many things that can make us feel tired. So to help you go beyond the standard, “I’m tired,” I’ve rounded up 5 alternate expressions and a few sleep-related phrases that you can use in your daily conversations. Let’s check them out:

1. I’m Beat

To be thoroughly fatigued or physically exhausted.

We use this one pretty often and it’s perfect for expressing your need for some good R & R.*

*Rest and Relaxation

Let’s drop in on a conversation:

A: I can’t believe you ran the marathon yesterday. How in the world are you at work today?

B: In all seriousness, I wish I were at home on my couch. I’m beat!

2. I’m pooped

If you are “pooped” , you are very tired.

We tend to use this one after we’ve been doing something (strenuous or not (e.g., working or shopping) for too long and really need to just stop and put our feet up.

A typical conversation might go something like this:

A: We’ve been walking around in the hot sun for hours. I’m pooped.

B: Me too, let’s head back to the hotel and take a nap.

3. I can hardly keep my eyes open

This is an expression you use when you are extremely tired, and you cannot keep yourself from falling asleep.

Let’s see it in action:

A: I haven’t slept since the baby was born.

B: I know, I can barely keep my eyes open. Our friends weren’t kidding.

4. I’m Spent

Drained of energy or effectiveness

We use this one if we feel like all the energy has escaped us.

Let’s see what it sounds like in use:

A: I’ve done so much today. I went to a cycling class in the morning, worked all day, and went to my nephew’s dance recital. I’m spent!

B: I bet, sounds like a busy day

5. Burnt Out

We use this when we are very tired from working too hard.

Here’s a dialogue:

A: Our whole team has been working around the clock to get this proposal together.

B: Tell me about it.* I’m pretty burnt out myself. Can’t wait to get out of here.

*Tell me about it – used as an ironic acknowledgment of one’s familiarity with a difficult or unpleasant situation or experience described by someone else

Idioms and Expressions about Sleep

Dead to the world: Sleeping very deeply

A: Is Sarah awake?

B: I doubt it. She was dead to the world the last I checked.

Not sleep a wink: not sleep at all

A: I didn’t sleep a wink last night.

B: Me neither, the noise from the construction kept me up all night.

To sleep like a baby/ log: To sleep very deeply

A: How did you sleep last night?

B: I slept like a log/baby. So glad we bought a new mattress

To hit the hay: to go to bed

A: It’s time to hit the hay, I’m spent!

B: Ok, I’m going to stay up and read just a little while longer. Sweet dreams

To lose sleep over something: to worry about something

A: I’m so worried about my job interview next week.

B: I’m sure you’ll do fine. No need to lose any sleep over it.

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BY CORY KENY

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5 Different Ways to Say “I’m tired ” in English