IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishnot sleep a wink
Meaning: To not sleep at all.
Example: “The neighbors' party went on until four, and I didn't sleep a wink.”
Origin: A "wink" was a brief closing of the eyes, and so the smallest possible amount of sleep. Shakespeare has "I have not slept one wink" in Cymbeline (1611), and the phrase may be older.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Ne pas fermer l’œil de la nuit Literally: To not close the eye of the night
More English idioms
- work oneself into a lather To become very agitated, anxious or angry.
- be all the rage To be extremely fashionable or popular for a time.
- avoid like the plague To stay as far away as possible from someone or something.
- lay it on thick To exaggerate, especially praise or flattery, far too much.
- stake one's life on it To be absolutely certain that something is true.
- chase skirts To pursue women constantly and flirtatiously.
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