sack (redirected from hitting the sack)

*sack and *ax

dismissal from one's employment. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) Poor Tom got the sack today. He's always late. I was afraid that Sally was going to get the ax.

An empty sack cannot stand upright.

Prov. A poor or hungry person cannot function properly. Sit down and have something to eat before you go back to work. An empty sack can't stand upright.

See also: cannot, empty, stand, upright

can't carry a tune and cannot carry a tune; can't carry a tune in a bushel basket; can't carry a tune in a bucket; can't carry a tune in a paper sack

Fig. [to be] unable to sing a simple melody; lacking musical ability. I wish that Tom wouldn't try to sing. He can't carry a tune. I don't know why Mary's in the choir. She can't carry a tune in a bushel basket. Joe likes to sing in the shower, though he can't carry a tune in a bucket. I'd try to hum the song for you, but I can't carry a tune in a paper sack.

See also: carry, tune

hit the hay and hit the sack

Fig. to go to bed. I have to go home and hit the hay pretty soon. Let's hit the sack. We have to get an early start in the morning.

See also: hay, hit

sack something up

to put something into bags or sacks. Please sack the groceries up and put them in the cart. I will sack up your groceries.

See also: up

sack out

to go to bed or go to sleep. It's time for me to sack out. Let's sack out early tonight.

See also: out

sacked out

asleep. Mary is sacked out in her room. Here it is ten o'clock, and you are still sacked out!

See also: out

---

get the sack

to be told to leave your job He got the sack when they found out that he'd lied about his qualifications.

See hit the sack

See also: get

hit the sack  (British, American & Australian informal) also hit the hay (American informal)

to go to bed I'm going to hit the sack - I'm exhausted.

See also: hit

---

hit the hay

to get into bed hit the sack It was time to hit the hay and drift off to sleep.

See also: hay, hit

hit the sack

to get into bed hit the hay When I hit the sack, I read for a few minutes, then turn out the light.

See also: hit

sack out

to go to sleep You can bring your sleeping bags and sack out on the living room floor.

See also: out