count sheep

count sheep

1. To perform any repetitive or monotonous thought exercise as a means of calming the mind to try to fall asleep (such as the traditional sleep aid of counting imaginary sheep). Whenever I go to bed with a racing mind, I make myself count sheep until I drift off to sleep.
2. By extension, to be kept awake at night or experience insomnia. Usually used in the continuous form. After I lost my job, I was up counting sheep all night, trying to figure out how I'd make ends meet.
See also: count, sheep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

count sheep

count imaginary sheep jumping over a fence one by one in an attempt to send yourself to sleep.
1977 Harvey Pitcher When Miss Emmie was in Russia Did you know that if you count sheep, it is watching the sheep jump that sends you off?
See also: count, sheep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

count ˈsheep

imagine that sheep are jumping over a fence and count them, as a way of getting to sleep: Doug closed his eyes and tried counting sheep, but he still couldn’t get to sleep.
See also: count, sheep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • make mind up
  • make up (one's) mind
  • make up mind
  • make up one's mind
  • make up your mind
  • Make your mind up
  • have a mind to
  • have a mind to (do something)
  • have a mind to do
  • have a mind to do something
References in periodicals archive
Count sheep in comfort with super-soft organic cotton sheets, with a percale weave that ensure breathability for the best night's sleep.
Count sheep, have a hot bath and a glass of warm milk, douse yourself in lavender spray, cool down your room, wear socks to bed.
Written and illustrated by Garaldo Valerio, "Jump, Leap, Count Sheep!: A Canadian Wildlife 123" features one bighorn sheep jumping, two grebes dancing, three mantids hunting, and a great many more Canadian critters for children ages 2 to 5 to count!
"I literally count sheep to go to sleep," she said.
Then you're in good company, as I'm sure the fine folk of West Lothian don't count sheep for their shuteye either.
TOM: And for whatever reason (it could be corrosion), one of your ignition relays is closing on its own and putting the truck into accessory mode while you count sheep.
I have worked in engineering design all my life, and sometimes when I can't sleep, I don't count sheep, I count the companies in which I was employed, that have closed.
Pen in hand With pen in hand I'm ready to write But not a thought in my head A cup of coffee may do the trick If not I'll go back to bed There are plenty of subjects to write about How come I can't think of one My mind was full an hour ago And now it's just all gone I've racked my brains all afternoon Still nothing comes to mind It shouldn't be this difficult Oh, what a bind Off to bed I'm tired out Drift off and get some sleep Perhaps I'll dream what to write about Or maybe just count sheep ANDREA GRIST, Newcastle.
So there ;) ged_hughes: Rather than count sheep when I can't sleep, I see how many Archers characters I can remember.
Get on it, local councils.Robert, 16 LAST time I checked, my parents were expecting me to come home from school with a grasp of grammar, foreign languages, science and political affairs - not how to count sheep.
EVEN if he suffered from insomnia, Henry Oldfield (Nathan Meister) couldn't count sheep to get to sleep because he's absolutely terrified of them.
In the interest of sanity, therefore, I am going to spend tonight's inevitable sleepless hours wondering whether, if humans traditionally count sheep, what do sheep count when they're suffering from a lack of shut-eye?
-- Thanks to fourth-generation Marin County rancher Joe Pozzi, you don't have to count sheep to get a good night's rest.
Anyone can count sheep to fall asleep, but staying awake while counting them, well, that's a different story.
I may even count sheep to help me drift off but rest assured they will be of the rainbow variety, as I would not like my methods of dealing with insomnia to upset anyone.