get (one's) head down

1. To take a nap. I just need to get my head down for a few minutes, so that I don't fall asleep at my desk. With a newborn at home, I can only get my head down when I can. "Sleep when the baby sleeps," as they say. I'd love to get my head down before our next flight, but I don't think our layover is going to be long enough for a nap.

2. To put forth effort on a task that involves reading or writing. If you just get your head down, you'll finish your paper much faster. Would you quit distracting me? I've got to get my head down and read Madame Bovary for class tomorrow! Yes, Mom, I finally got my head down and finished my book report, OK?

See also: down, get, head

get your head down

1. If you get your head down, you concentrate and work hard at something. I could really do with getting my head down and finishing this chapter.

2. If you get your head down, you go to sleep. I'm going to get my head down for a bit. Compare with keep your head down.

See also: down, get, head

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

get your head down

1 sleep. 2 concentrate on the task in hand. British informal

See also: down, get, head

get your ˈhead down

(informal)
1 work or study hard: If you want to pass that French exam, you’ll have to get your head down.
2 go to bed and sleep: It’s time to get our heads down; we have to be up early tomorrow morning.

See also: down, get, head

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