What it means
To hit the hay means to go to bed or call it a night. It paints a cosy old farm picture of collapsing onto hay, even if you’re really face-planting a duvet. Comes off casual and slightly folksy, often used when you’re properly tired but not making a big drama of it.
Usage examples
"I’m off to hit the hay, got a meeting at sparrow’s fart. Been up since dawn and I’m running on two pints and a meal deal."
"It is past midnight, I am going to hit the hay."
"After that long hike we all hit the hay early."
Where it comes from
Before sprung mattresses, beds were sacks or pallets stuffed with hay or straw, so lying down to sleep meant literally hitting the hay. The phrase stuck long after the hay was gone, and to hit the hay simply means to go to bed, to turn in for the night, usually when you are good and tired.
Other ways to say it
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