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DaesungKim
"Sleep tight." only to children?
According to Oxford English Dictionary:
"
Sleep tight
(informal) used especially to children before they go to bed to say that you hope they sleep well
"
My question is:
Is there any case where this can be used to a person who is not a child? For instance between adult lovers or between teen friends?
Thanks :D
Have a good day.
Jan 22, 2019 5:15 PM
Answers · 8
1
Yes of course you can use it, but only with people you know well enough to address in a childish manner, either with affection or with irony. 'Especially' does not mean 'exclusively'.
January 22, 2019
1
Affectionate ways to say good night:
"Night-night"
"Sleep tight " (Sometimes all rolled into one sentence like " night night, sleep tight ....don't let the bugs bite" :-)
"Sweet dreams"
January 22, 2019
1
I'm not sure that this phrase would be used frequently between friends or adults. I have said ti to my own parents and my parents have said to me in my adult life, but it's very much because we already have that existing history and tradition.
In a different relationship, it might be used affectionately, but not perhaps with the same sincerity as a parent would use with their child. Instead, I feel it would be used like a cliche where the person is wishing another a good night's sleep, but without necessarily the love and emotion associated with the phrase when said between a parent and child. By this I mean similar to how teenagers might display adult forms of greetings with their friends, such as hugs, but in some cases it's to mimic the actions rather than to truly display the emotions associated with the action.
January 22, 2019
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DaesungKim
Language Skills
English, Korean
Learning Language
English
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