What does “Dead tired” mean?
The phrase "dead tired" means 'very tired' or 'exhausted.' When someone says they are "dead tired", they are emphasizing how physically or mentally drained they are, similar to saying 'I'm completely exhausted' or 'I can't keep my eyes open.'
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
I worked all night and now I'm dead tired.
Example
After running a marathon, she was dead tired.
Example
He stayed up late studying and was dead tired the next day.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Describing physical exhaustion
After working a double shift, I was dead tired.
She ran a marathon and was dead tired at the finish line.
- 2Expressing mental fatigue
I've been studying for hours, and I'm dead tired.
After a long day of meetings, I'm dead tired mentally.
- 3Conveying overall exhaustion
I've been running errands all day, and I'm dead tired.
I stayed up all night working on a project, and now I'm dead tired.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
"Dead tired" is a common slang expression that originated in English. The phrase uses the word 'dead' to emphasize the intensity of tiredness. It is likely that the phrase evolved from the idea of being so tired that one feels like they could drop dead.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
While "dead tired" is typically used within a sentence, it can also stand alone to convey a strong sense of exhaustion. For example, if someone asks how you're feeling after a long day, you might simply respond with "Dead tired!" to express your extreme fatigue.
Is the phrase offensive?
"Dead tired" is not offensive in itself. It's a slang term used to describe extreme exhaustion.
Audience for the phrase
"Dead tired" is a phrase that can be used by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is commonly used by anyone who wants to express extreme tiredness.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
"Dead tired" is widely used across English-speaking regions. It is not specific to any particular accent or region.
