Sometimes we feel very tired after a long day. Maybe we stayed up late doing homework or played outside too much. When people talk about being tired, they don’t always say “I’m tired.” They use fun phrases called idioms. Idioms are special phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. But they help make talking more fun and interesting.
In this article, you will learn many idioms people use when they feel tired. These sayings are easy to use with your friends, family, or teachers. They help you understand and explain how you feel in a fun way. Let’s explore these tired idioms together and see how you can use them every day.
Idioms for Tired
1. Run out of steam
Meaning: To lose energy or strength
Example: I ran out of steam while finishing my homework. / She ran out of steam halfway through the game.
Put Differently: I got too tired to keep going. / She didn’t have energy to finish.
2. Hit the sack
Meaning: To go to bed
Example: I’m going to hit the sack after dinner. / Dad hit the sack early last night.
Put Differently: I’m going to sleep. / He went to bed.
3. Burned out
Meaning: Very tired from working or doing too much
Example: I feel burned out after all that studying. / She was burned out from the long practice.
Put Differently: I’m too tired from doing so much. / She had no energy left.
4. Pooped out
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example: I was pooped out after gym class. / He’s pooped out from running around all day.
Put Differently: I was really tired. / He had no more energy.
5. Dead tired
Meaning: Very, very tired
Example: We were dead tired after the field trip. / Mom was dead tired after work.
Put Differently: We felt super tired. / She needed to rest badly.
6. Wiped out
Meaning: Very exhausted
Example: I was wiped out after swimming lessons. / He felt wiped out after helping with chores.
Put Differently: I was really worn out. / He was out of energy.
7. Out like a light
Meaning: Fell asleep quickly
Example: I was out like a light after the movie. / She was out like a light before I could say goodnight.
Put Differently: I fell asleep fast. / She went to sleep right away.
8. Dog-tired
Meaning: Completely tired
Example: I felt dog-tired after soccer. / He was dog-tired after the hike.
Put Differently: I was totally worn out. / He was super tired.
9. Beat
Meaning: Really tired
Example: I’m beat after cleaning my room. / He was beat by the end of the day.
Put Differently: I’m very tired. / He had no strength left.
10. Ready to drop
Meaning: So tired you feel like falling down
Example: I was ready to drop after the race. / She was ready to drop after the test.
Put Differently: I was super tired. / She felt like collapsing.
11. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up very late working
Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my project. / She burned the midnight oil studying.
Put Differently: I stayed up late working. / She was up past bedtime to study.
12. Run ragged
Meaning: Tired from being too busy
Example: We were run ragged by the school trip. / Mom was run ragged from errands.
Put Differently: We got really tired from doing too much. / She had no break.
13. Feel like a zombie
Meaning: So tired you can’t think well
Example: I felt like a zombie in class today. / He looked like a zombie this morning.
Put Differently: I was too tired to think. / He moved really slow.
14. Ready to crash
Meaning: So tired you want to sleep
Example: I’m ready to crash after my homework. / She was ready to crash after cheer practice.
Put Differently: I want to sleep now. / She was super tired.
15. Dead on my feet
Meaning: Extremely tired but still standing
Example: I was dead on my feet at the end of the party. / He’s dead on his feet from working.
Put Differently: I could barely stand. / He looked very tired.
16. Feeling drained
Meaning: Feeling like you have no energy left
Example: I felt drained after the test. / She was drained after piano lessons.
Put Differently: I had no energy. / She was really tired.
17. Flat out
Meaning: Very tired or exhausted
Example: I was flat out after recess. / He went flat out on the run.
Put Differently: I was totally tired. / He gave all his energy.
18. Had a long day
Meaning: A tiring and busy day
Example: I had a long day at school. / Mom had a long day at work.
Put Differently: It was a tiring day. / She was really busy.
19. Need to recharge
Meaning: Need rest or sleep
Example: I need to recharge before doing homework. / She’s recharging with a nap.
Put Differently: I need a break. / She’s resting.
20. Burnt to a crisp
Meaning: Very tired and stressed
Example: I felt burnt to a crisp after the test. / He was burnt to a crisp after football.
Put Differently: I was totally worn out. / He had no energy left.
21. Dead as a doornail
Meaning: Very tired (or lifeless)
Example: I was dead as a doornail after the party. / She felt dead as a doornail this morning.
Put Differently: I was super tired. / She looked like she hadn’t slept.
22. Exhausted
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example: I was exhausted after practice. / Dad looked exhausted after work.
Put Differently: I had no energy. / He was really tired.
23. Running on empty
Meaning: Still going but with no energy
Example: I was running on empty at the end of the test. / He’s running on empty this week.
Put Differently: I’m super tired but still going. / He has no energy left.
24. Done in
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I was done in by the time I got home. / She was done in after playing outside.
Put Differently: I felt too tired. / She had no strength left.
25. Not enough gas in the tank
Meaning: No energy left to keep going
Example: I had no gas in the tank to do more homework. / He didn’t have enough gas in the tank for chores.
Put Differently: I couldn’t keep going. / He had no more energy.
26. Beat down
Meaning: Worn out
Example: I felt beat down after walking all day. / He looked beat down after helping move boxes.
Put Differently: I was very tired. / He looked really worn out.
27. Knocked out
Meaning: Fell asleep fast from being tired
Example: I got knocked out on the couch. / She was knocked out after school.
Put Differently: I fell asleep right away. / She couldn’t stay awake.
28. Like dragging a sack of potatoes
Meaning: Moving slowly from being tired
Example: I walked like I was dragging a sack of potatoes. / He moved like a sack of potatoes.
Put Differently: I moved slowly. / He looked really tired.
29. Worn to a frazzle
Meaning: Extremely tired and worn out
Example: I was worn to a frazzle after field day. / She was worn to a frazzle before bedtime.
Put Differently: I was super tired. / She was very worn out.
30. Eyes barely open
Meaning: Too tired to stay awake
Example: My eyes were barely open during reading. / He could barely keep his eyes open.
Put Differently: I was super sleepy. / He was about to fall asleep.
31. Like a deflated balloon
Meaning: Lost energy completely
Example: I felt like a deflated balloon after recess. / She looked like a deflated balloon at dinner.
Put Differently: I had no energy left. / She looked tired.
32. Feel like crashing
Meaning: Want to lie down and sleep
Example: I feel like crashing after homework. / He felt like crashing after soccer.
Put Differently: I want to rest. / He wanted to sleep.
33. All tuckered out
Meaning: Very tired
Example: The baby was all tuckered out after playing. / I was all tuckered out from walking.
Put Differently: He was super sleepy. / I was tired.
34. Hit a wall
Meaning: Suddenly become very tired
Example: I hit a wall doing my math work. / She hit a wall during the dance.
Put Differently: I got tired quickly. / She lost her energy fast.
35. Bushed
Meaning: Very tired
Example: I’m bushed after that long hike. / He was bushed from biking.
Put Differently: I’m super tired. / He was out of energy.
36. Used up
Meaning: All energy is gone
Example: I was used up after the school day. / Mom said she felt used up.
Put Differently: I had no energy left. / She was worn out.
37. Running on fumes
Meaning: Still going with almost no energy
Example: I was running on fumes during music class. / He was running on fumes this morning.
Put Differently: I barely had energy left. / He was really tired.
38. Need to crash
Meaning: Need to sleep quickly
Example: I need to crash before I fall asleep on the floor. / She needs to crash right now.
Put Differently: I need to go to sleep now. / She’s ready to rest.
39. Drooping like a flower
Meaning: So tired you feel like falling
Example: I was drooping like a flower during dinner. / He looked like a wilting flower at school.
Put Differently: I was really tired. / He couldn’t stay up.
40. Like a wind-up toy running out
Meaning: Slowing down because of tiredness
Example: I was like a wind-up toy running out by the afternoon. / She slowed down like a toy without batteries.
Put Differently: I lost all my energy. / She was very tired.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity : Idioms for Tired
Below are 10 sentences that describe someone being tired. Rewrite each one using a tired idiom from the list.
Sentences to Rewrite
- I am very sleepy after soccer practice.
- She was so tired she almost fell asleep in class.
- Dad looked super tired when he got home from work.
- I worked really hard and now I feel worn out.
- Mom stayed up late helping me, and now she needs sleep.
- After the field trip, we were all very tired.
- My little brother played all day and now he can’t keep his eyes open.
- I studied for hours and now I feel like I can’t move.
- My sister looked so tired she barely finished dinner.
- We had so much fun, but now I feel like falling asleep right away.
Answer Key
- I’m dog-tired after soccer practice.
- She was out like a light in class.
- Dad looked wiped out when he got home.
- I’m completely drained now.
- Mom needs to hit the sack.
- After the field trip, we were all pooped out.
- My little brother is all tuckered out.
- I feel like a deflated balloon.
- My sister’s eyes were barely open at dinner.
- I’m ready to crash after all that fun.
Conclusion
Tired idioms help us talk about how we feel in fun and clear ways. These phrases can show just how sleepy or worn out someone is. You can use them when talking to friends, family, or writing stories. Try practicing these idioms so you can use them easily. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
