nods off
Catches brief shuteye
To nod off is to fall asleep, especially unintentionally or gradually: He nodded off during the lecture.
The phrase captures the characteristic head movement of someone drifting into sleep while sitting upright.
It suggests drowsiness overtaking alertness rather than deliberate rest.
- dozingLightly, briefly unconscious
- snoozingLightly asleep
- heavy eyelidsTired, half-closed eyes
- somnolenceAbnormal urge to doze
- sleepinessState of needing rest
doze · drowsy · head bobbing · fall asleep · out like a light · catches some z's · train journeys · monotony · fatigue · lectures · slumbers · passes out · goes to sleep · siesta · afternoon slump · catnaps · bedtime · late night
- falling asleepfell asleep, dozes, naps, napped, snoozes