drift off to sleep — to gradually fall asleep without intending to
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to gradually fall asleep without intending to
Pronunciation (IPA): /drɪft ɔːf tu sliːp/
Example Sentences
- My cat always drifts off to sleep in the weirdest positions.
- I was counting sheep but ended up drifting off to sleep before I reached ten.
- She drifted off to sleep listening to her favorite music.
drift off to sleep
NOUN[/drɪft ɔːf tu sliːp/]
to gradually fall asleep without intending to
to gradually fall asleep without intending to
As the book begins to shift, she drifts off to sleep with her child's gift!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Drift originates from Old Norse 'drifa', meaning to be driven or carried along by wind or water. The phrase 'drift off to sleep' extends this metaphor of passive movement to describe the gradual, involuntary transition into sleep, as consciousness slowly flows away.
Breakdown
drift (to be carried along passively) + off (away, to a state of separation) + to sleep (into the condition of slumber). The phrasal verb structure conveys a gentle, imperceptible shift from wakefulness into sleep.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat always drifts off to sleep in the weirdest positions.”
“I was counting sheep but ended up drifting off to sleep before I reached ten.”
“She drifted off to sleep listening to her favorite music.”
“The baby finally drifted off to sleep after hours of crying.”
📚Related Words
Antonyms
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