Read a book before bedtime.

Meaning: This is a common phrase used to encourage people, especially children, to develop a love for reading.

Choice of Words: Read means to look at and understand written or printed matter. Book is a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side. Bedtime is the time when you go to bed. "Read a book before bedtime" is a suggestion to spend some time reading before going to sleep.

Alternative Expressions

Grab a book and read it before you go to sleep.

Meaning: This means that you should quickly take hold of a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together and look at and understand the words that are written on the pages before you become unconscious.

Choice of Words: Grab means to take hold of something quickly. Book is a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together. Read means to look at and understand words that are written on a page. Before means earlier than a particular time. Sleep is the state of being unconscious. When you put them together, "Grab a book and read it before you go to sleep" means to quickly take hold of a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together and look at and understand the words that are written on the pages before you become unconscious.

Pick up a book and give it a read before you hit the hay.

Meaning: This means that you should choose or select a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together and look at and understand the words that are written on the pages before you go to sleep.

Choice of Words: Pick means to choose or select something. Book is a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together. Read means to look at and understand words that are written on a page. Before means earlier than a particular time. Hay is a type of grass that is used to feed animals. When you put them together, "Pick up a book and give it a read before you hit the hay" means to choose or select a collection of written or printed pages that are bound together and look at and understand the words that are written on the pages before you go to sleep.

Related Expressions