sleep tight

English

Etymology

The word tight is sometimes explained as here meaning “well, soundly”. However, it can just as well be interpreted in its literal sense of “firm, fast”; compare fast asleep.

Pronunciation

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Phrase

sleep tight

1. If one keeps oneself tightly bundled one will sleep warm and rest well.

   Sleep tight! Don't let the bedbugs bite!

Interjection

sleep tight

1. A farewell said shortly before going to bed; usually said between family members or good friends.

   Synonym: sleep well

   • 1963, J P Donleavy, A Singular Man, published 1963 (USA), pages 138, 139:

     "Thank you for washing the dishes."
     "Goodnight, Mr Smith.
     "Goodnight, Miss Martin. Sleep tight."
     Miss Martin's door closes. Hear her light switch on.
     Smith locking latches on doors and windows. Turning off the faint music on the vast radio. The light out under Miss Martin's door.

Translations

farewell

• Catalan: dorm bé
• Dutch: welterusten (nl), slaapwel (nl), slaap lekker (nl), trusten, truste
• French: dors bien, dormez bien
• German: schlaf gut (informal), schlafen Sie gut (formal)
• Italian: dormi bene
• Lao: please add this translation if you can
• Polish: dobranoc, pchły na noc
• Portuguese: durma bem
• Spanish: buenas noches (es), duerma bien
• Swedish: dröm sött (sv)

See also

• sit tight