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to bunk down

to bunk down

5 6.8
To sleep in a temporary place like on the floor or in the living room
  • phrasal verb
  • /bʌŋk daʊn/
  • Informal
translation icon : acostarse
  • I know you folks like to sleep outside when you're on Earth, so feel free to bunk down wherever you feel comfortable.
  • bunk down tonight
  • bunk down here

Examples

Synonyms

to go to bed
vsto bunk down
485 1.0

To get into bed to sleep

stresses temporary or improvised sleeping locations rather than normal beds
to go to sleep
vsto bunk down
369 1.0

To stop being awake and rest with your eyes closed

describes going to a temporary or makeshift sleeping place rather than sleep onset
to lie down
vsto bunk down
221 1.0

To put your body flat on a bed to rest or sleep

is narrower, meaning specifically to sleep in a temporary or makeshift place
to crash
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
111 7.0

To sleep somewhere for a short time without planning to

adds the idea of makeshift sleeping rather than simply staying briefly
to hunker down
vsto bunk down
16 7.5

To stay in one safe place and wait until danger passes

is about sleeping in temporary places, not sheltering or preparing for danger
to hit the sack
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
10 6.0

To go to bed to sleep

highlights sleeping in temporary places rather than the end of a long day
to bed down
vsto bunk down
4 4.5

To sleep in a temporary place like a barn or tent

means the same but is the informal original phrasing for this action
to sack out
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
4 7.5

To go to bed to sleep

is more about temporary or improvised sleeping places not just nightly rest
to crawl in
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
3 3.3

To go to bed slowly because you feel very tired

focuses on temporary or makeshift sleeping rather than the manner of going to bed
to hit the sheets
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
1 8.6

To go to bed to sleep

adds a temporary or makeshift place sense beyond simple informal bedtime
to doss down
vsto bunk down
  • UK
9.5

To sleep somewhere that is not your usual bed, often in an uncomfortable place

focuses on temporary or makeshift sleeping rather than a normal bed
to kip down
vsto bunk down
  • UK
9.6

To sleep somewhere for a short time, often on a sofa

stresses makeshift or short term sleeping rather than a regular bedtime
to fall in the sack
vsto bunk down
  • Informal
8.8

To go to bed or sleep

underlines sleeping in temporary spots rather than just casual bedtime

Antonyms

1.0

To stop sleeping or make someone else stop sleeping

221 1.0

To make someone leave their bed or stand up

How Temporary

to camp out
48 2.4
to crash
  • Informal
111 7.0
to bunk down
  • Informal
5 6.8
to stay over
  • Informal
70 3.0
to sleep
1.0

Surface Forms

bunk down infinitive
bunked down past participle
bunking down present participle
bunks down third person singular

Morphology

bunk + down

The meaning 'to go to bed' is directly derivable from combining 'bunk' (a narrow bed) with the particle 'down' (indicating lying or moving to a lower position); the composition follows a common English pattern (verb + down) indicating settling or lying. This is a fairly literal, compositional use and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words and the particle sense.

Etymology

Bunk down comes from bunk, a small bed or sleeping space, and down meaning to lie down. Imagine curling into a tight bunk on a ship or at a camp; that's why bunk down means 'to go to bed', often in a simple or 'temporary' place.