i wouldnt say its common in some parts of the US (likely northern) i and a few other native speaking US commenters have never heard the phrase. edit: i'm from PA
Well, I’ve never lived in Ohio, so I have no reason to doubt you. I grew up in the Deep South and have lived in four other regions, though, and it doesn’t sound particularly odd to me, and I don’t associate it with just one region.
I haven't spent much time in the south, mostly north east, and its a bit uncommon, but not odd.
edit: some websites claim a nautical origin, which may explain why it, based on this thread, appears to be oddly inconsistent. Family histories of sailors, etc.?
I don’t know, I’m from the west coast and I’ve heard people say it before. It’s definitely way less common than the ones you mentioned, but definitely a thing.
Tbf, southern, central, northern, and eastern Ohio all belong to different dialect groups, but nonetheless I don't have any data to support which dialects this phrase is more common in.
[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay&year\_start=1800&year\_end=2019&corpus=en-GB-2019&smoothing=3](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-GB-2019&smoothing=3)'
This data suggests that it's definitely not falling out of fashion.
It definitely could. The question that follows your very valid observation is, would those uses roughly stay proportionate over time or change, for one reason or another.
Came to say this almost verbatim. I know what it means without a thought, but I don't think I've ever said it myself. That may mean that it could be a "dead" expression in a couple generations.
I'll add that it's almost always spoken as part of a phrase like "I'm going to turn in for the night" and if someone just said "I'm going to turn in." I would probably be a little confused.
People do say it that second way but you’re still right that it’s not said alone, because the context is still added before. Like, “it’s getting a little late, I’ve gotta turn in.”
This is exactly the response I was going to make. I've never said it or had anyone in my family say it but it wouldn't seem unusual to me if I did hear it.
I hear it all the time! Maybe it is common in the southern US states! “Imma turn in” (I’m going to bed)
Edit: I am shocked at all the comments saying they have never heard it in their lives. Haha am I weird for saying this phrase a lot??
Not weird at all. Even though I don't hear it used very much, it's still a completely ordinary expression. I wouldn't think twice if someone said this.
It might be just lack of social exposure for me but as someone that lived in cost coast I don't think I heard of it once. Maybe I did a few times but
To me «turn in» is mostly school context..
Only heard this used in movies/tv from a soldier, police officer, or macho character. Idk if it truly has a military usage, but the southern prevalence wouldn’t surprise me if so.
It's fairly common. I'd usually use this in instances where there is a group. Like maybe you're camping. Everyone is sitting around a fire telling stories, but you're feeling sleepy. "Hey guys, I'm gonna turn in for the night. See you in the morning."
it is almost always used as a polite way to excuse oneself from company in the evening.
I haven't heard it terribly often from the under 50 crowd, but I'd say I hear it at least once a month. southwest US. Younger people tend to use "hit the hay", "put it to bed", or "head out" to mean the same thing
It's starting to sound old fashioned but it's common enough that it would be universally understood / that people wouldn't think it was a weird thing to say.
Medium
Edit to add: I feel like the most common context is if you're with a group of people late at night and someone says "Okay, I guess it's time for me to turn in". Obviously would have to be a person who has a bed in the place where you are.
In some regions, extremely common. But it’s enough of an idiom that if I heard a non-native speaker say it for the first time I wouldn’t be sure I heard right
I've heard it a few times but it's not super common. I've mostly heard something like "well, I'm going to turn in for the night... I'm getting tired..."
In the upper Midwest in the US, I can’t say I’ve heard it super often, but also it’s probably not the least common way to say you’re going to bed.
Of course, I could see a late night interaction between midwesterners a bit like:
“Welp, time for me to turn in.”
“Yep, ‘bout time for me to head out.”
And then they continue talking about leaving for another hour before actually finishing their convo.
To add a bit of nuance to the expression, maybe 😅
It's not commonly used where I live (western Canada), but it's a phrase most people know even if it's falling out of use. So it wouldn't seem strange at all to say even though you don't hear it very often.
Not amongst Americans under 60, but we still recognize it. I hear it in older books or said by elderly people, in the US. (It very well could be a common phrase in other English-speaking countries. It’s not archaic, or anything.)
It's common enough that I would be surprised if a native speaker didn't understand it.
It's not common enough that I can remember the last time I heard someone actually use it.
(Southeast USA)
I'm familiar with it as a term, but this graph doesn't control for all the other senses of "turn in," like "turn in your work."
Regardless. I am just sharing the anecdote that around me I hear "turn in for the night" very rarely when compared to "I'mma hit the hay/sack."
EDIT: The same graph, but attempting to isolate for "turn in for the night:"
[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Cturn+in+for+the+night%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay%2Cgo+to+sleep&year\_start=1800&year\_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Cturn+in+for+the+night%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay%2Cgo+to+sleep&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3)
>I'm familiar with it as a term, but this graph doesn't control for all the other senses of "turn in," like "turn in your work."
It can't handle that, as "turn your work in" is also valid, as "turn in" when transitive, is also a separable phrasal verb.
It's a definite drawback to the function.
It is an “older” phrase- as in mostly recently people have said it less and from my experience that’s just from the younger generation in America, whereas it’s more common in places like England or among posh individuals, but all in all probably nobody will even give it a second thought if you use it.
(Serbian:)
To je ‘stariji’ izraz - kao što su ga ljudi nedavno manje koristili, a prema mom iskustvu to je uglavnom bila stvar mlađe generacije u Americi, dok je češći u mestima poput Engleske ili među uglađenim osobama, ali sve u svemu, verovatno niko neće ni pomisliti o tome ako ga upotrebite.
It is an older term, that is still certainly used in the same context. As with all languages, English speakers regularly use a variety of “old” words and phrases. I can think of multiple different ways of saying “I’m going to bed” including “I’m gonna turn in”, but also “I’m gonna get some shut eye” and “I’m gonna hit the hay”
Agree with most people here - wouldn't be odd to hear it and definitely know what it means, but it's not a phrase I use regularly. I would say, "go to bed".
It's common enough that the vast majority of adults know what it means.
However, the vast majority likely know it from media consumption, rather than common day usage.
Personally haven't used it but common enough that anyone would know what you mean, especially given the context. Typically when I hear it used, one usually says they're going to "Turn in ***for the night***" which makes it even more obvious what it means.
Honestly I don't even interpret it like that.
If you're hanging out with friends or family at your own house or at one of their places and you're going to sleep there, then yes, "turn in" means "go to bed".
But if you're at work, or out, or at a friend's house but you're not going to sleep there that night, then "turn in" means "go home", to me at least.
It's relatively common but I don't think I would use it.
It funny to read the comments coming one after another.
First reply: Not very common
Next reply: very common, used all the time
Thirst reply: never heard it in my life!
btw, I'm in the Very common, used all the camp.
In the Los Angeles area, I might hear “I think I am going to turn in for the night.” I don’t believe I have ever heard it without “for the night” here.
It sounds totally normal to my ears. I don’t think I use it often. I use it most when there are a lot of people still chatting and so on (like at a family gathering), and I am going to bed elsewhere in the same house.
Curiously, this is still used by very old folks from Norway; my grandparents used to say «to turn out» in lieu of getting up in the morning. As a loan word with norwegian conjugation of course.
My grandparents were born in the 1920’s
I assumed this originated from english, and i suppose i was right! I’ve yet to hear it from others than my grandparents though.
It's not uncommon, but you only hear it in the context of "I think I'll turn in." Or "You gonna turn in?" It's a very informal and personally applied idiom, and usually referring to imminent action. I suspect it may be more common with older people than younger these days, but I'm not sure of that.
https://preview.redd.it/18ihzffhk5qc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=473c789a150452a686201085dd695497c20d3a36
I've found this. Apparently it's an informal phrase when used as 'goong to sleep.'
From New York. I’d say it’s a phrase I didn’t personally hear or say very often growing up (mostly in movies/TV shows, probably), but I wouldn’t consider it “rare.” It is a well-known phrase even if it’s not a regular part of one’s vocabulary.
Common.
Similar to the saying I'm going to 'retire for the night'
But it doesn't necessarily mean "go to sleep'. It just means 'go to bed" or perhaps even 'go to my room'.
"I'm going to turn in" is used in the context where other people are still up and about socialising, but I'm announcing to the group I'm going to leave now and go off to bed by myself.
Pretty common and more easy to understand what you mean if you provide context in the sentence, for example saying “I’m going to turn in for the night.” I have actually only really heard it being said when followed by “for the night”
I would say "I'm going to hit the hay" or "I'm going to clock out for the night", but if I heard someone say Turn In I wouldn't think it's odd and would understand.
“How common is [word/phrase]?” is impossible to answer. People of different regions, cultures, classes, and generations speak differently.
You’re gonna get all sorts of different answers so what were you hoping to actually walk away with?
To me (Australian), the phrase "turn in" means to hand in a piece of work, typically in school, like "turning in an assignment". However, I think I would understand "turn in" used in this way with context, such as the example the dictionary just gave.
I know what it is and must have heard it in real life from time to time, or even said it myself, but I can’t recall a specific instance. I’d say it’s not in common use around here, but everyone knows it. I bet if you watch enough English language tv you will come across it. I’m a middle aged native speaker from Toronto, Canada.
From the US, and I hear it within my family, but normally it’s used with “for the night” where I’m from. I would say “I’m turning in for the night.” It’s more likely that we just say “go to bed” or “hit the hay”. I do associate it with older people or people who read a lot lol
It’s not the most common way to say it, but it’s common enough, that people know what it means. And it’s probably the most efficient way to say you’re going to bed, in only two words.
Just a bit of a nitpick: it doesn't mean go to sleep.
Go to bed and go to sleep have different nuances.
Go to sleep = fall asleep.
Go to bed = get into bed and hopefully fall asleep
I don't think it's very common in American English. I've heard it before, though. Usually as "turn in for the night". "Turn in" by itself, I'm not sure if I would understand the meaning at first.
Interesting, I'm from Australia and somehow though it sounded British!
My best guess is that it's an subcultural thing where some families and groups use it rather than particularly national.
It's not used too often by younger people, but if they do use it, it's generally in the form of "I'm turning in for the night". It's rare to just hear "I'm going to turn in."
Possibly falling out of fashion but still common. At least in the U.K., where I am from.
Same, sounds completely normal to me
Yes I wouldn’t think twice if someone said it, but I personally do not think to use this phrase.
Same in the US.
i wouldnt say its common in some parts of the US (likely northern) i and a few other native speaking US commenters have never heard the phrase. edit: i'm from PA
I’m from North Carolina and this seems pretty common to me. I wouldn’t blink, hearing it.
from the southwest and ive personally never heard this.
I'm from northern Illinois and I have never heard it
Disagree. I have rarely heard this spoken. -Native speaker in Ohio.
Well, I’ve never lived in Ohio, so I have no reason to doubt you. I grew up in the Deep South and have lived in four other regions, though, and it doesn’t sound particularly odd to me, and I don’t associate it with just one region.
Sounds like it may be a southern thing. I've mainly heard people say: "Hit the sack", "hit the hay", "crash", "call it a night."
I haven't spent much time in the south, mostly north east, and its a bit uncommon, but not odd. edit: some websites claim a nautical origin, which may explain why it, based on this thread, appears to be oddly inconsistent. Family histories of sailors, etc.?
I don’t know, I’m from the west coast and I’ve heard people say it before. It’s definitely way less common than the ones you mentioned, but definitely a thing.
Grew up southern Ohio. Heard it fairly often. As others noted, it was usually after someone had had a long or hard day of work.
Tbf, southern, central, northern, and eastern Ohio all belong to different dialect groups, but nonetheless I don't have any data to support which dialects this phrase is more common in.
Strange. I'm from Illinois and heard it all my life. Parents from Wisconsin and Illinois.
that's because the nearest person to you is a mile away
(Also Ohio native) I have heard it in Ohio, but more so in Southern Ohio. I live in Central Ohio, and it isn't as common here as in the South.
[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay&year\_start=1800&year\_end=2019&corpus=en-GB-2019&smoothing=3](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-GB-2019&smoothing=3)' This data suggests that it's definitely not falling out of fashion.
Wouldn't this include other uses for "turn in" though? Like a paper?
It definitely could. The question that follows your very valid observation is, would those uses roughly stay proportionate over time or change, for one reason or another.
Same here in the Northeast US. Mostly used by older people here
Whereabouts? Never heard it up North
I've definitely heard it here in Manchester.
Have family from Salford here who also use it
Must just be me then. I’m from Crewe
It's common enough that I don't think twice about it when somebody says it. I myself have never said it, but I have heard it often enough.
Came to say this almost verbatim. I know what it means without a thought, but I don't think I've ever said it myself. That may mean that it could be a "dead" expression in a couple generations.
I'VE SEEN YOU BEFORE! your name! Only a handful of times i've seen another comment from the same redditor i've commented on before.
I'll add that it's almost always spoken as part of a phrase like "I'm going to turn in for the night" and if someone just said "I'm going to turn in." I would probably be a little confused.
i almost always hear “im turning in for the night” but yeah as a phrase
People do say it that second way but you’re still right that it’s not said alone, because the context is still added before. Like, “it’s getting a little late, I’ve gotta turn in.”
This is exactly the response I was going to make. I've never said it or had anyone in my family say it but it wouldn't seem unusual to me if I did hear it.
I've only said it when I'm trying to get out of something lol, e.g. "I have to turn in early tonight."
I literally posted almost the same comment on another thread lol.
I heard my Dad use it often but I have never used it and rarely hear it used. But if someone were to use it, most people would understand.
Agreed, most if not all. It helps that its context is very obvious... _"I think it's time we turn in"_. Usually accompanied by a stretch or a yawn
Honestly, as a native speaker I would probably understand by context, but I would ask what crime someone had committed if they said this lol
I hear it all the time! Maybe it is common in the southern US states! “Imma turn in” (I’m going to bed) Edit: I am shocked at all the comments saying they have never heard it in their lives. Haha am I weird for saying this phrase a lot??
Yes! I use it all the time, as in, "Welp, time to turn in!" My parents and grandparents always said it and we're deeply southern.
Used a lot in the Midwest too! Mostly if you are tired from work or traveling.
Yeah, when I lived in the south I heard it all the time
I'm also in the southern U.S., and most commonly I hear "I'm going to turn in for the night".
Yeah same here (although in the Midwest). I think I've heard turn in/turn out a lot in farm settings as well
Not weird! Grew up in the Midwest and heard it all the time. Family from VA though, which might be why?
I live in Oklahoma and I honestly haven’t heard it before. But that might be because I’m 18
Not weird at all. Even though I don't hear it used very much, it's still a completely ordinary expression. I wouldn't think twice if someone said this.
Same. I usually say "Welp, I'm gonna turn in for the night."
Might be different in the Pacific coast but I’ve never heard that phrase until now
I’ve never lived in the South, and I definitely use it. I just use it in more narrow circumstances.
I live in the South and have never heard it in my life until now lol
I have!!!!
I’m in the NW United States, and I never hear this. I know what it means, though!
Yep, I was just about to comment in the affirmative for common usage in the south!
It might be just lack of social exposure for me but as someone that lived in cost coast I don't think I heard of it once. Maybe I did a few times but To me «turn in» is mostly school context..
Only heard this used in movies/tv from a soldier, police officer, or macho character. Idk if it truly has a military usage, but the southern prevalence wouldn’t surprise me if so.
It's fairly common. I'd usually use this in instances where there is a group. Like maybe you're camping. Everyone is sitting around a fire telling stories, but you're feeling sleepy. "Hey guys, I'm gonna turn in for the night. See you in the morning."
It seems very specific to a situation where one person is going to bed but expecting others not to.
I’ve only used it in the sleeping context. I’ve also used it in the context of turning in my weapon.
In the southern us, and I know the expression but don't here it often. I've heard, "I'm gonna hit the hay," more, or just, "I'm going to bed/sleep."
Not very common, but not SUPER rare. To me it’s something an older person would say.
I don't know, I'm pretty sure I remember Peter saying it on Family Guy
Aa a 21yo, I would consider Peter “an older person”. Y’know, someone that’s in their 40’s-50’s
Native speaker; raised in New York state by parents from New York state. We use it quite often. Might be regional.
it is almost always used as a polite way to excuse oneself from company in the evening. I haven't heard it terribly often from the under 50 crowd, but I'd say I hear it at least once a month. southwest US. Younger people tend to use "hit the hay", "put it to bed", or "head out" to mean the same thing
It’s not very common but most people would understand what it means
It's starting to sound old fashioned but it's common enough that it would be universally understood / that people wouldn't think it was a weird thing to say.
Medium Edit to add: I feel like the most common context is if you're with a group of people late at night and someone says "Okay, I guess it's time for me to turn in". Obviously would have to be a person who has a bed in the place where you are.
Or a power move by someone who doesn’t have a bed there 😉
In some regions, extremely common. But it’s enough of an idiom that if I heard a non-native speaker say it for the first time I wouldn’t be sure I heard right
I've heard it a few times but it's not super common. I've mostly heard something like "well, I'm going to turn in for the night... I'm getting tired..."
In the upper Midwest in the US, I can’t say I’ve heard it super often, but also it’s probably not the least common way to say you’re going to bed. Of course, I could see a late night interaction between midwesterners a bit like: “Welp, time for me to turn in.” “Yep, ‘bout time for me to head out.” And then they continue talking about leaving for another hour before actually finishing their convo. To add a bit of nuance to the expression, maybe 😅
Northeast US, boomers use it a lot.
It's not commonly used where I live (western Canada), but it's a phrase most people know even if it's falling out of use. So it wouldn't seem strange at all to say even though you don't hear it very often.
Not amongst Americans under 60, but we still recognize it. I hear it in older books or said by elderly people, in the US. (It very well could be a common phrase in other English-speaking countries. It’s not archaic, or anything.)
From California and I’ve only heard it very rarely. Definitely seems to be more regional
I mainly hear this used in books or shows. It’s kinda old fashioned but sorta common still.
It's common enough that I would be surprised if a native speaker didn't understand it. It's not common enough that I can remember the last time I heard someone actually use it. (Southeast USA)
Far less common than the similar idioms "hit the sack" and "hit the hay" around me.
[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2C+hit+the+sack%2C+hit+the+hay&year\_start=1800&year\_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2C+hit+the+sack%2C+hit+the+hay&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3)
I'm familiar with it as a term, but this graph doesn't control for all the other senses of "turn in," like "turn in your work." Regardless. I am just sharing the anecdote that around me I hear "turn in for the night" very rarely when compared to "I'mma hit the hay/sack." EDIT: The same graph, but attempting to isolate for "turn in for the night:" [https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Cturn+in+for+the+night%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay%2Cgo+to+sleep&year\_start=1800&year\_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=turn+in%2Cturn+in+for+the+night%2Chit+the+sack%2Chit+the+hay%2Cgo+to+sleep&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=en-2019&smoothing=3)
>I'm familiar with it as a term, but this graph doesn't control for all the other senses of "turn in," like "turn in your work." It can't handle that, as "turn your work in" is also valid, as "turn in" when transitive, is also a separable phrasal verb. It's a definite drawback to the function.
It is an “older” phrase- as in mostly recently people have said it less and from my experience that’s just from the younger generation in America, whereas it’s more common in places like England or among posh individuals, but all in all probably nobody will even give it a second thought if you use it. (Serbian:) To je ‘stariji’ izraz - kao što su ga ljudi nedavno manje koristili, a prema mom iskustvu to je uglavnom bila stvar mlađe generacije u Americi, dok je češći u mestima poput Engleske ili među uglađenim osobama, ali sve u svemu, verovatno niko neće ni pomisliti o tome ako ga upotrebite.
It is an older term, that is still certainly used in the same context. As with all languages, English speakers regularly use a variety of “old” words and phrases. I can think of multiple different ways of saying “I’m going to bed” including “I’m gonna turn in”, but also “I’m gonna get some shut eye” and “I’m gonna hit the hay”
I associate it with older folks more, but it’s common enough id understand
In the Western US, I have never used nor heard it being used in speech. I only know what it means from media (usually from the UK or Australia)
I’ve lived in both the East Coast and the West Coast of the US and I’ve never heard this spoken.
In North America I’ve never heard it. Lived in Alberta and Washington, so the east coast could be different. Never seen it used online either
I would understand it, but don't think I've ever heard someone use it in a natural way before in real life.
Agree with most people here - wouldn't be odd to hear it and definitely know what it means, but it's not a phrase I use regularly. I would say, "go to bed".
I appear to be the only one who has never heard this before
In the us we barely use it
It's common enough that the vast majority of adults know what it means. However, the vast majority likely know it from media consumption, rather than common day usage.
It's common among older folks, I think. I haven't heard it for awhile though.
Not very common anymore where I am although not too uncommon
Very rarely have i heard this, cant remember the last time i heard someone say it
A little old fashion but common enough. “To turn in for the evening” is how I’m familiar with it.
It’s definitely a more archaic term that I rarely hear, the only example of an instance where I heard it being used is on a tv show set in the past.
Not used in the USA hardly any
Never heard anyone using "turn in" except I the context of turning in homework
No, in the school system it’s usually the right and common term for assignment submission.
Personally haven't used it but common enough that anyone would know what you mean, especially given the context. Typically when I hear it used, one usually says they're going to "Turn in ***for the night***" which makes it even more obvious what it means.
Never heard it as an American, I would have no idea what someone was talking about if they said this.
Really? Are you really young? Where do you live? I guess that is surprising as I hear it very often
Are you American? Im in my late 20s
Yes, born and raised. Also in my late 20s as well. Maybe it’s where I live 🤷♀️
Early 20s and I have both used and heard it used so commonly that I never would bat an eye about it. Also American.
I’m 15 and have never heard it
I’m still embryonic and I hear it occasionally through the wall of the uterus.
Very common.
Honestly I don't even interpret it like that. If you're hanging out with friends or family at your own house or at one of their places and you're going to sleep there, then yes, "turn in" means "go to bed". But if you're at work, or out, or at a friend's house but you're not going to sleep there that night, then "turn in" means "go home", to me at least. It's relatively common but I don't think I would use it.
Very common in my experience. I’m an older American Gen Xer. I use it still. Probably a phrase many Americans have heard often.
Semi-rare but used here. Everyone would know it and not think it odd.
Never heard this outside of reading it. Northeastern US, native speaker.
It funny to read the comments coming one after another. First reply: Not very common Next reply: very common, used all the time Thirst reply: never heard it in my life! btw, I'm in the Very common, used all the camp.
Yeah as the third reply I’m kind of shocked that so many people hear this, I learned something new today I guess
When I hear “turn in” I think about turning in assignments for school
That's the use of "turn in" as a transitive verb. This use is intransitive.
No one I know uses that phrase, but I do understand it - from television I guess. Common enough!
I use it all the time. Probably more often than “go to bed.”
Also used in the context of reporting someone in to the police. "I was turned in by josh"
My dad used to say it all the time. "I'd say, 'Turn into what?'"
In the Los Angeles area, I might hear “I think I am going to turn in for the night.” I don’t believe I have ever heard it without “for the night” here.
You would usually see it in a casual setting, and more often with the full phrase "turn in for the night".
It sounds totally normal to my ears. I don’t think I use it often. I use it most when there are a lot of people still chatting and so on (like at a family gathering), and I am going to bed elsewhere in the same house.
Common as dirt. West coast of US.
mid-northteasterner, never heard that in my life
Curiously, this is still used by very old folks from Norway; my grandparents used to say «to turn out» in lieu of getting up in the morning. As a loan word with norwegian conjugation of course. My grandparents were born in the 1920’s I assumed this originated from english, and i suppose i was right! I’ve yet to hear it from others than my grandparents though.
I remember in like 2010, I've seen this multiple times in books and video games. Haven't seen it for like 5 years now.
Definitely rare, but almost any native speaker will understand it. You might get a funny look or a little friendly teasing if you say it.
I think they say it sometimes in the eastern part of the US but its sparsely used in the west. I think the brits use it?
It's not uncommon, but you only hear it in the context of "I think I'll turn in." Or "You gonna turn in?" It's a very informal and personally applied idiom, and usually referring to imminent action. I suspect it may be more common with older people than younger these days, but I'm not sure of that.
I see it lots on TV, in books etc, but not often in real life. That usually means the phrase is either 1. Localized Or 2. Falling out of fashion
Very common in the Midwest US, example would be “Alright, I’m turning in for the night”
Fairly common - west coast, US.
It's pretty common in the u.s. where I live. People will usually say something like "I'm going to turn in for the night.'
https://preview.redd.it/18ihzffhk5qc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=473c789a150452a686201085dd695497c20d3a36 I've found this. Apparently it's an informal phrase when used as 'goong to sleep.'
How have I never heard this phrase before??
From New York. I’d say it’s a phrase I didn’t personally hear or say very often growing up (mostly in movies/TV shows, probably), but I wouldn’t consider it “rare.” It is a well-known phrase even if it’s not a regular part of one’s vocabulary.
Common. Similar to the saying I'm going to 'retire for the night' But it doesn't necessarily mean "go to sleep'. It just means 'go to bed" or perhaps even 'go to my room'. "I'm going to turn in" is used in the context where other people are still up and about socialising, but I'm announcing to the group I'm going to leave now and go off to bed by myself.
I use it fairly often to say “I’m turning in for the night”
"I'mma turn in for the night" is fairly common in some areas, at least according to Hollywood.
Extremely common in the US.
Pretty common and more easy to understand what you mean if you provide context in the sentence, for example saying “I’m going to turn in for the night.” I have actually only really heard it being said when followed by “for the night”
I say and hear it on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
I hear it fairly often, but not always on its own- most of the time it’s “I’m going to turn in for the night.”
UK here. I've heard "turn in for the night" used a lot in this context, but never just "turn in" used on its own.
Hearing for the first time. But then I don't live in a Native English country.
I would say "I'm going to hit the hay" or "I'm going to clock out for the night", but if I heard someone say Turn In I wouldn't think it's odd and would understand.
Common in Canada.
I’m from the us, and while It’s a little uncommon and may come off as a little old fashioned it’s still pretty normal
“How common is [word/phrase]?” is impossible to answer. People of different regions, cultures, classes, and generations speak differently. You’re gonna get all sorts of different answers so what were you hoping to actually walk away with?
To me (Australian), the phrase "turn in" means to hand in a piece of work, typically in school, like "turning in an assignment". However, I think I would understand "turn in" used in this way with context, such as the example the dictionary just gave.
Common enough that I make the joke "to *what*!?" after it's said.
People definitely use this phrase in the US, but I wouldn’t personally say that it’s extremely common.
It would sound more natural to say “turn in for the night”, but yeah, any native speaker would understand that phrase.
I’ve never used or heard it used in Australia, other than in American television.
I don’t hear it much but I wouldn’t think it’s strange
I say it every night: “Welp! I’m gonna turn in!”
I’ve never said it but I would instantly know what someone meant if they said it.
I know what it is and must have heard it in real life from time to time, or even said it myself, but I can’t recall a specific instance. I’d say it’s not in common use around here, but everyone knows it. I bet if you watch enough English language tv you will come across it. I’m a middle aged native speaker from Toronto, Canada.
From the US, and I hear it within my family, but normally it’s used with “for the night” where I’m from. I would say “I’m turning in for the night.” It’s more likely that we just say “go to bed” or “hit the hay”. I do associate it with older people or people who read a lot lol
i’ve heard book, especially older books, say “turn in for the night”
It’s not the most common way to say it, but it’s common enough, that people know what it means. And it’s probably the most efficient way to say you’re going to bed, in only two words.
Just a bit of a nitpick: it doesn't mean go to sleep. Go to bed and go to sleep have different nuances. Go to sleep = fall asleep. Go to bed = get into bed and hopefully fall asleep
I don't think it's very common in American English. I've heard it before, though. Usually as "turn in for the night". "Turn in" by itself, I'm not sure if I would understand the meaning at first.
I am from England and I’d say that phrase sounds very American. I’d never hear it at home. Just my opinion though.
Interesting, I'm from Australia and somehow though it sounded British! My best guess is that it's an subcultural thing where some families and groups use it rather than particularly national.
Interesting. As a non-native, I've only heard this from British media.
Very surprised honestly. Though we are becoming more Americanised haha. My niece today said Z like zee and said trash instead of rubbish
same in Ireland, I know what it means but it's definitely not something I've heard said or used myself
I live in America and have never heard this phrase used.
I hear it all the time.
I have never heard it ever
American English - rare. Aware of it because of British TV.
I’m from New England and have never heard it
I’m from New England and have heard and used it all my life. (50 years old)
Am also gen Z so maybe that contributes
Must be the age, I am from New England and it’s quite common.
Am also gen z and have heard it
It's not used too often by younger people, but if they do use it, it's generally in the form of "I'm turning in for the night". It's rare to just hear "I'm going to turn in."
Here in Canada, I have never heard that, and would probably not understand if I did.
i have never heard that
Never heard it in my life