dead tired
Utterly worn out
Dead tired means utterly exhausted, so fatigued that continuing feels impossible.
The dead intensifies tired to its extreme—as if one lacks the energy even to move: I was dead tired after the twelve-hour shift.
The phrase is informal but common.
Utterly depleted of energy
- worn outDepleted through overuse
- wiped outUtterly without remaining energy
- spentExhausted or disbursed
- drainedEmptied of resources
fatigued · sapped · depleted · enervated · prostrate · collapsed · weak · enfeebled
Cognitive sluggishness and confusion
- friedCooked in hot fat
- zoned outMentally checked out
- checked outDeparted or zoned out
- spaced outInattentive, mentally elsewhere
can't think straight · unfocused · scattered · numb · blank · glazed over · running on empty · burnt out
Exhausted from overexertion
- overworkedLaboring beyond healthy limits
- overburdenedCarrying more than manageable
- run raggedExhaust through excessive demands
- swampedOverwhelmed beyond capacity
overwhelmed · stressed · strained · overloaded · snowed under · frazzled · stretched thin · at breaking point
Nearly falling asleep
- sleepyWanting to doze
- somnolentInclined toward sleep
- heavy-eyedVisibly fatigued, needing sleep
- nodding offFalling briefly asleep
yawning · dozing · groggy · bleary-eyed · half-asleep · ready for bed · sleep-deprived · punch-drunk
exhausted
Utterly depleted of energy
- worn outDepleted through overuse
- wiped outUtterly without remaining energy
- spentExhausted or disbursed
drained · fatigued · sapped · depleted · enervated · prostrate · collapsed · weak · enfeebled · debilitated
brain fog
Cognitive sluggishness and confusion
- friedCooked in hot fat
- zoned outMentally checked out
- checked outDeparted or zoned out
can't think straight · spaced out · unfocused · scattered · numb · blank · glazed over · running on empty · burnt out · tapped out
burned out
Exhausted from overexertion
- overworkedLaboring beyond healthy limits
- overburdenedCarrying more than manageable
- run raggedExhaust through excessive demands
swamped · overwhelmed · stressed · strained · overloaded · snowed under · frazzled · stretched thin · at breaking point · taxed
drowsy
Nearly falling asleep
- sleepyWanting to doze
- somnolentInclined toward sleep
- heavy-eyedVisibly fatigued, needing sleep
nodding off · yawning · dozing · groggy · bleary-eyed · half-asleep · ready for bed · sleep-deprived · punch-drunk · foggy
- energy idiomsfull of beans, running on empty, second wind, burn out, fired up
- exhaustion phrasesworn out, wiped out, burned out, run down, tuckered out
- fatigueexhaustion, tiredness, weariness, lethargy, chronic fatigue
- death idiomskick the bucket, six feet under, kiss of death, death wish, death trap
- exhaustedweary, exhausted, drained, fatigued, spent
- exhaustion symptomstiredness, fatigue, weariness, burnout, lethargy
dead tiredwide awake
Totally alert and attentive
alert · sharp · keen · attentive · on the ball
tired, tire, retire, retiring, tiring, retired, retirement, tires, tireless