If people want to sleep but can’t manage to fall asleep, several phrases and expressions can be used to describe this situation:
- Insomniac - Describes someone who has difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Sleep-deprived - Someone who lacks sufficient sleep due to poor-quality or insufficient sleep.
- Restless sleeper - The state of not being able to settle down and have a good night's sleep.
- Struggling to nod off - Having difficulty beginning the process of sleeping.
- Tossing and turning - Moving around a lot in bed because they can't sleep.
- Having trouble drifting off - Difficulty starting to sleep.
- Asleep on their feet - So exhausted that they almost fall asleep while standing or sitting.
- Can't catch any Z’s - A colloquial way to say they are unable to sleep.
- Having sleep issues - More general, could refer to various problems with sleep.
- Unable to slumber - There's an inability to fall asleep despite the desire to do so.
Feel free to use these descriptions to explain when someone is fighting to get some shut-eye but just can’t seem to get there. What helps one person fall asleep may differ from another, and sometimes adjusting routines or seeking professional advice can be helpful for those struggling with sleep.