Word: Drift Off
Definition:
"Drift off" is a verb phrase that means to gradually fall asleep. It describes the process of moving from being awake to being asleep, usually in a gentle or slow manner.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "drift off" when you want to talk about someone who is starting to fall asleep, often without realizing it. It’s often used in casual conversations.
Example Sentence:
- After reading for a while, she began to drift off on the couch.
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, "drift off" can be used to express a gradual loss of attention or focus, not just sleep. For instance, someone might "drift off" in a boring meeting.
Example Sentence:
- During the lengthy presentation, many attendees began to drift off, losing interest in the topic.
Word Variants:
There are no direct variants of "drift off," but you can use related words: - Drift (verb): to move slowly or aimlessly. - Off (adverb): indicates a separation or departure.
Different Meanings:
The phrase "drift off" primarily relates to sleep, but "drift" on its own can also refer to the act of moving slowly or being carried along by the wind or water.
Example:
- The leaves drifted off the tree in the autumn breeze.
Synonyms:
Some synonyms for "drift off" include: - Fall asleep - Doze off - Nod off - Drop off
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
"Drift off" is a phrasal verb, which means it has a verb and a particle (off) that work together. Other phrasal verbs related to sleep include: - "Doze off" – to fall asleep lightly or briefly. - "Zone out" – to lose focus or become unaware, similar to drifting off in attention.
Example Idiom:
- "Burning the midnight oil" refers to staying up late to work or study. If someone is burning the midnight oil, they might eventually drift off from exhaustion.
In summary, "drift off" is an easy and useful phrase to describe the process of falling asleep.