take a nap

Meaning

'Take a nap' means to sleep for a short period during the day, usually to rest and regain energy. It is a highly common, neutral expression used by people of all ages.

Examples

• I like to take a nap on Sunday afternoons.

  I like to take a nap on Sunday afternoons.

• The toddler is taking a nap in her crib right now.

  The toddler is taking a nap in her crib right now.

• I only had time to take a quick twenty-minute nap.

  I only had time to take a quick twenty-minute nap.

• You look exhausted; you should go take a nap.

  You look exhausted; you should go take a nap.

• Taking a nap after lunch always makes me feel refreshed.

  Taking a nap after lunch always makes me feel refreshed.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I made a nap after lunch.

  ✓ I took a nap after lunch.

  The correct verb collocation is 'take' a nap (or 'have' a nap in British English), never 'make'.

• ✗ I need to take nap.

  ✓ I need to take a nap.

  'Nap' is a countable noun, so it requires the indefinite article 'a'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I usually ___ for thirty minutes on the weekend.

  💡 To sleep for a short time during the day.

  Show answer

  take a nap

• The baby is ___ right now, so please be quiet.

  💡 Continuous form of sleeping briefly during the day.

  Show answer

  taking a nap