Feeling tired is something we all go through, whether after a long day at school, a busy day at work, or even after having lots of fun. But instead of just saying “I’m tired” every time, why not use some fun and thoughtful idioms to express how you feel?
In this article, I’ll share 22 idioms for tired that are easy to understand, friendly, and warm, so you can describe your tired moments in new ways. These idioms will help you share how you feel with a little extra meaning and care. Let’s begin!
1. Run out of steam
Meaning:
To have no energy left.
In a sentence:
I ran out of steam after playing outside all day.
Best use:
When you’re feeling worn out.
Other ways to say:
- Out of energy
- Completely tired
- Exhausted
2. Burned out
Meaning:
Feeling very tired from doing too much.
In a sentence:
She felt burned out after studying all night.
Best use:
When you’re tired from working hard.
Other ways to say:
- Worn down
- Drained
- Overworked
3. Hit the hay
Meaning:
To go to bed.
In a sentence:
I’m so sleepy, it’s time to hit the hay.
Best use:
When you’re ready for sleep.
Other ways to say:
- Go to bed
- Get some rest
- Turn in
4. Dead on my feet
Meaning:
Feeling extremely tired.
In a sentence:
After walking all day, I was dead on my feet.
Best use:
When you’re totally exhausted.
Other ways to say:
- So tired
- Worn out
- Beat
5. Dog-tired
Meaning:
Very, very tired.
In a sentence:
We were dog-tired after the long trip.
Best use:
When you feel deeply worn out.
Other ways to say:
- Super tired
- Wiped out
- Exhausted
6. Out like a light
Meaning:
To fall asleep very fast.
In a sentence:
She was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Best use:
When you sleep right away.
Other ways to say:
- Fast asleep
- Knocked out
- Sleeping deeply
7. Burn the candle at both ends
Meaning:
Doing too much and getting really tired.
In a sentence:
He burned the candle at both ends with work and school.
Best use:
When you’re overworking.
Other ways to say:
- Doing too much
- Overloaded
- Worn thin
8. Run ragged
Meaning:
Feeling exhausted from being too busy.
In a sentence:
The kids ran me ragged today!
Best use:
When you’re busy and tired.
Other ways to say:
- Totally worn out
- Busy and tired
- Beat
9. Wiped out
Meaning:
Completely worn out.
In a sentence:
I was wiped out after cleaning the house.
Best use:
When you have no energy left.
Other ways to say:
- Totally tired
- Out of energy
- Drained
10. Ready to drop
Meaning:
Feeling so tired you might fall over.
In a sentence:
After hiking, I was ready to drop.
Best use:
When you’re beyond tired.
Other ways to say:
- Ready to rest
- Extremely tired
- Exhausted
11. Beat
Meaning:
Very tired.
In a sentence:
I’m beat after that workout.
Best use:
When you’re super tired.
Other ways to say:
- Done
- Exhausted
- Worn out
12. Bone-tired
Meaning:
Tired deep down, in every part of your body.
In a sentence:
She felt bone-tired after moving all day.
Best use:
When you’re completely drained.
Other ways to say:
- Totally tired
- Worn out
- Drained
13. Drop off
Meaning:
To fall asleep.
In a sentence:
I dropped off during the movie.
Best use:
When you fall asleep without meaning to.
Other ways to say:
- Nodded off
- Fell asleep
- Snoozed
14. Dead tired
Meaning:
Very, very tired.
In a sentence:
I was dead tired after work.
Best use:
When you’re fully exhausted.
Other ways to say:
- Beat
- Dog-tired
- Wiped out
15. Wear yourself out
Meaning:
To make yourself really tired.
In a sentence:
He wore himself out running.
Best use:
When you make yourself tired by doing too much.
Other ways to say:
- Push too hard
- Use up your energy
- Overdo it
16. Call it a day
Meaning:
To stop working because you’re too tired.
In a sentence:
Let’s call it a day and rest.
Best use:
When ending your work because you’re tired.
Other ways to say:
- Finish up
- Stop for now
- Take a break
17. Sleep like a baby
Meaning:
To sleep very well.
In a sentence:
After the long trip, I slept like a baby.
Best use:
When you rest really well.
Other ways to say:
- Rest peacefully
- Deep sleep
- Sleep soundly
18. Nodding off
Meaning:
Slowly falling asleep, often sitting up.
In a sentence:
She was nodding off during the meeting.
Best use:
When you’re too tired to stay awake.
Other ways to say:
- Dozing
- Falling asleep
- Drifting off
19. Knocked out
Meaning:
Falling asleep quickly from tiredness.
In a sentence:
He was knocked out right after dinner.
Best use:
When you sleep fast because you’re so tired.
Other ways to say:
- Out like a light
- Asleep quickly
- Zoned out
20. Catch some Z’s
Meaning:
To take a nap or sleep.
In a sentence:
I’m going to catch some Z’s before dinner.
Best use:
When you want a short sleep.
Other ways to say:
- Nap
- Rest
- Snooze
21. Take forty winks
Meaning:
To take a quick nap.
In a sentence:
I took forty winks after lunch.
Best use:
When you only sleep for a little while.
Other ways to say:
- Quick nap
- Short rest
- Tiny snooze
22. Sleep like a log
Meaning:
To sleep very deeply.
In a sentence:
I slept like a log last night.
Best use:
When you don’t wake up easily.
Other ways to say:
- Deep sleep
- Rest well
- Snooze soundly
Conclusion
We all feel tired sometimes, and now you have 22 idioms for tired to help you describe those moments in a thoughtful, caring, and clear way. These idioms add fun and feeling to your words and make it easier to share how you feel, whether you’re ready to rest or just plain wiped out.
