Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic - Forty Winks

The IELTS Speaking test measures how well you can use idiomatic language. Idioms help the candidate to build vocabulary and help to improve the score. In order to answer IELTS speaking and reading sections, the candidates must learn different types of idioms. This particular idiom will help you understand its literal meaning and how you can use it in IELTS speaking.

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Topic: Common Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic - Forty Winks

• Forty Winks

Origin: In 1821, this idiom was first used by Dr. William Kitchiner. He was an optician and telescope inventor who used this idiom in his self-guide named The art of invigorating and prolonging life – “A forty winks nap in a horizontal posture is the best preparative for any extraordinary exertion of either.”

Also, in an article published on March 15, 1924, the main lead of the article Roger Halsey said to his wife, Gretchen, “just take forty winks, and when you wake up everything will be fine.”

Since then it has been used over and over on various occasions.

Meaning: A nap, Sleep for a short duration, mostly during the day, a short slumber.

This idiom is generally used to indicate taking short naps, particularly during the day or before an event.

Examples:

1. Sam left the lunch early to catch forty winks before the night party.
2. The way to my office is quite long. Sometimes I take forty winks on the bus.
3. Most people usually take forty winks after lunch.
4. Before Rose’s wedding ceremony her dad decided to take forty winks which made her very frustrated.

Exercise:

Give the meaning and examples of the following idioms.

1. asleep at the wheel

Meaning: not attentive, not paying attention

Example:

1. New Zealand would have won if half of the players weren’t asleep at the wheel.
2. When the lecturer asks Jessica about the ongoing topic she was unable to answer and felt really embarrassed for being asleep at the wheel.

Also, check:

2. catnap

Meaning: short sleep during the day, sleep lightly, doze

Example:

1. He drove 100 miles nonstop then stopped at a gas station to take a catnap.
2. When Suzzane gets exhausted at work she takes a catnap sitting on the chair.

3. hit the hay / hit the sack

Meaning: to go to sleep, to go to bed

Example:

1. After hours of dance practice, I am going to hit the sack as soon as I reach home.
2. Before I hit the sack I read for some time and do my night skincare routine and meditate for at least 5 minutes.

4. lie in

Meaning: to stay in bed for a longer time especially in the morning

Example: 1. Tomorrow Sarah doesn’t have school so she will probably lie in.

2. Mike is a pampered child so he usually lies in and does breakfast in the bed.

5. out like a light

Meaning: asleep, unconscious

Example:

1. As soon as I reached home I sat on the couch and was out like a light.
2. In the fight, Jackson hit Christian and he was out like a light.