Before bed, I like to wind down the day by reading a book, drinking a warming cup of chamomile tea, and listening to calming nature sounds on my favorite meditation app. These activities help me to relax and get a restful sleep. I prefer not to watch the nightly news or check work emails too late in the evening as these stressful activities can cause me to toss and turn all night.
Watch Dara’s latest video below to see more examples of this idiom in context!
Transcript
OK, to toss and turn. Do you mean to toss a coin and then turn around?
No! To toss and turn means to move around restlessly when you are trying to fall asleep.
Let’s see how we can use this phrase naturally:
- I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I was tossing and turning all night.
- Oh, no more coffee, thank you! If I have another cup, I’ll be tossing and turning all night!
- I’m a night owl. Even if I go to bed early, I can’t sleep. I just toss and turn until 3:00 in the morning.
So, there we have it: toss and turn. Do you have a similar phrase in your language? Let us know in the comments section below.
Practice
Have a look at the questions below. Then try to write answers that include today’s idiom.
- Are there any foods that keep you awake at night?
- Have you ever lost sleep after watching a scary movie? Why?
- Do you stop drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea early in the day? Why do you feel this is necessary?
- Do you usually sleep soundly the night before a big exam or a work presentation? Why or why not?
- Why do children sometimes have a night of restless sleep?
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