A cat nap
Meaning
A cat nap is a short, light sleep, often taken during the day.
Origin
Throughout history, domestic cats have charmed humans with their peculiar sleeping habits—dozing off almost anywhere, anytime, only to spring back to full alertness moments later. These short, intermittent periods of slumber, where a cat seems to be merely resting its eyes rather than entering deep sleep, perfectly captured the essence of a brief, refreshing doze. The phrase "cat nap" emerged in the late 19th century, a delightful linguistic tribute to our feline companions and their masterful ability to snatch quick moments of repose amidst the day's activities.
Examples
- After lunch, I often like to take a quick cat nap to recharge for the afternoon.
- The busy executive found herself needing a cat nap at her desk after a morning of intense meetings.