# count sheep

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/count-sheep
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.

## Examples

- I cannot sleep, so I start to count sheep.
- When I wake up in the middle of the night, I count sheep to help my mind relax.
- Despite his exhaustion, he lay awake for hours, fruitlessly counting sheep in a desperate attempt to drift into slumber.

## Origin

See count and sheep. Stories of counting sheep to sleep extend back to at least as early as 12th-century Spain and 13th-century Italy from prior Arab stories. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.