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to sleep early

to sleep early

3 1.0
To go to bed earlier than usual
  • phrasal verb
  • /slip ˈɜrli/
  • Indian
translation icon : acostarse temprano
  • Many people believe that if you sleep early, you can get up early.
  • go to sleep early
  • get to sleep early
  • sleep early every night

You just go to sleep early and then you wake up early.

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Examples

Synonyms

to go to bed
vsto sleep early
485 1.0

To get into bed to sleep

means doing that at an earlier hour than one usually does
to fall asleep
vsto sleep early
376 1.0

To start sleeping

indicates that this beginning occurs earlier than usual
to go to sleep
vsto sleep early
369 1.0

To stop being awake and rest with your eyes closed

specifies that this start happens earlier than one's usual time
to turn in
vsto sleep early
  • Informal
27 3.5

To go to bed to sleep

shifts that preparation to an earlier-than-normal hour
to hit the sack
vsto sleep early
  • Informal
10 6.0

To go to bed to sleep

focuses on doing this sooner than one's regular routine
to hit the pillow
vsto sleep early
  • Informal
4 3.7

To go to bed and fall asleep quickly because you are tired

means starting that unconscious state earlier than normal rather than fastness
to crawl in
vsto sleep early
  • Informal
3 3.3

To go to bed slowly because you feel very tired

refers to shifting the whole timing earlier rather than the manner
to go to bed with the chickens
vsto sleep early
  • Archaic
1 8.8

To sleep very early, often soon after sunset

happens earlier than a person's normal time rather than tied to sunset
to go to bed with the sun
vsto sleep early
  • Archaic
5.3

To sleep early in the evening when the sun goes down

is about moving the usual timing earlier, not specifically at sunset

Antonyms

16 2.4

To stay in bed later than usual in the morning

Surface Forms

sleep early infinitive
sleeping early present participle
sleeps early third person singular
slept early past participle

Morphology

sleep + early

The meaning 'to go to bed at an early hour' is directly and literally derived from combining 'sleep' (to be in a restorative unconscious state) with 'early' (before the usual time). This simple verb + adverb composition follows standard English patterns (and similar constructions in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand it.

Etymology

Sleep early comes from the simple picture of going to sleep and doing it early, before most people, like closing your eyes while the sun is still out. So, it means 'to go to bed at an early hour' to get more rest or be ready for the next day.