hit the hay

1. Also, hit the sack. Go to bed, as in I usually hit the hay after the eleven o'clock news, or I'm tired, let's hit the sack. The first colloquial expression dates from the early 1900s, the variant from about 1940.

Example Sentences

This is a perfect gift for a late-night reader whose partner might hit the hay early.

From Los Angeles Times

White noise machines, streamable background sounds, and even humble box fans are said to work just as well, if you'd rather not physically plug your ears before hitting the hay.

From Salon

“That big dinner made me snoozelly. I’m hitting the hay. Five a.m. comes awfully early.”

From Literature

Once in bed, she checks the news and Instagram, then plugs her phone in to charge before hitting the hay.

From BBC

Giving in to sleep pressure and hitting the hay, they found, triggers the final steps of protein production.

From Scientific American