Take to the Bed

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "take to the bed" means to go lie down because of illness, exhaustion, sorrow, or overwhelming emotion. It can describe anything from genuine sickness to someone retreating under the covers when life gets heavy.

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synonyms: lie down, take a rest, be laid up, retreat to bed, convalesce

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say I don't heard 'took to the bed' as often as I used to, but I like the phrase. It's more of a thing you'd hear out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say I don't heard 'took to the bed' as often as I used to, but I like the phrase. It's more of a thing you'd hear out in the country.

Pronunciation

[TAYK t’ thuh BED]
/teɪk tə ðə bɛd/

Meaning & Usage

- Becoming ill or bedridden (verb phrase)

Mae:

Is Earl up and movin’ today?

Ruby:

Not yet. He took to the bed yesterday evenin’.

- Withdrawing because of sadness or overwhelm (verb phrase)

Earl:

After that news, she just took to the bed awhile.

- Needing rest from exhaustion (verb phrase)

Mae:

Them kids wore me out. I'm fixin’ to take to the bed.

variations: took to the bed

★ "Take to the bed" can sound dramatic if you’re not from around here, but locally it fits everything from a bad cold to just needing to hide under a quilt for a bit. ★

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in older British English constructions like "take to one’s bed," the phrase stayed strong in Southern and Appalachian speech. It reflects a culture where rest, recovery, and emotion often center around the homeplace and the bedroom.

Usage Notes

Common in both older and modern Southern/Appalachian talk, though more frequent among older generations. Tone determines meaning - it can be literal (sick) or figurative (hurt feelings, grief, or simple exhaustion).

literal: bedridden with illness
emotional: retreating from bad news or heartbreak
everyday: needing a rest after hard work

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it always mean someone is seriously sick?

No - it can range from mild illness to emotional overwhelm or plain tiredness.

Is it mostly an older saying?

More common among older speakers, but still fully understood across the South and Appalachia.

Is it meant literal or figurative?

Both - the tone and situation make the meaning clear.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 11). Take to the Bed. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/take-to-the-bed
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Take to the Bed." HillbillySlang.com, 11 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/take-to-the-bed.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Take to the Bed." HillbillySlang.com. December 11, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/take-to-the-bed.