go to bed vs. get into bed (2025)

'Go to bed' means that you have been up, dressed, doing whatever you do in the day/evening. 'Get into bed' means the physical act of getting into the bed, pulling the covers over you, etc.

"John decided it was time to go to bed. He turned off the TV and turned out the lights, then had a shower and cleaned his teeth. Then he went into his bedroom, pulled back the duvet and got into bed."

To "get into bed" is to literally climb into the bed and lie down (and get under the covers, unless you're living where I am right now! *so hot!*).

To "go to bed" means to retire for the night and may even include all the actions you might take in preparing for bed.

-EDIT: Oh, yeah, what Kenneth said!

Auri said:

Hello,
Could you explain me the difference between 'go to bed' and 'get into bed'. Thx

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Hi, Auri!

I think that 'go to bed' implies 'go to sleep'. 'get into bed' emphasizes the action and the place (whether you sleep or not is not important).
Wait for others' opinion just in case I'm wrong.

Fernita

Kenneth Garland said:

Not really, Fernita. While it's been so hot & humid in Britain in recent weeks, I've often gone to bed really tired, but once I've got into bed, I couldn't sleep.

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Thanks, Kenneth! I get what you mean.

And what if a mother tells her kid to 'go to bed' or to 'get into bed'?
Thanks in advance!

If she says, "Go to bed!", the child is running around, being naughty, etc.

If she says "Get into bed!", the child has washed, changed into pyjamas, etc, perhaps has said his prayers (does anyone do this any more?) and is beside the bed all ready to get in.

Kenneth Garland said:

If she says, "Go to bed!", the child is running around, being naughty, etc.

If she says "Get into bed!", the child has washed, changed into pyjamas, etc, perhaps has said his prayers (does anyone do this any more?) and is beside the bed all ready to get in.

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Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!
By the way, good night! It's almost 4 here and I'm exhausted and sleepy!
Besides, it's cold in Buenos Aires and I want to go to bed.

Fernita.

Why do you say "get INTO bed"?

Is bed like a house that you can go into?

stephenlearner said:

Why do you say "get INTO bed"?

Is bed like a house that you can go into?

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I get into my house. I get into my bedroom, I get into my pyjamas, I get into bed. We are always getting into things. Into trouble, into debt, into bad habits, into a row........

GF..

Why do we say it? It's just what we say......

stephenlearner said:

Why do you say "get INTO bed"?

Is bed like a house that you can go into?

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You cover yourself with the sheets, etc. You are not just on top of everything that is part of the bed.

Hi, I am searching for similar topic, I think go to bed means "go to sleep", isn't it? Definition of GO TO BED

Thanks in advance

Super Saiyan said:

Hi, I am searching for similar topic, I think go to bed means "go to sleep", isn't it?

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No, they are not the same. You could go to bed and remain awake for half an hour, for example.

Go to bed or go to sleep
go to bed vs go to sleep
go to sleep <vs> go to bed
go to sleep/go to bed

Thanks. I didn't notice that.

Does anybody else know?