1 B2 idiomatic informal
To sleep in a makeshift or temporary location, especially when you don't have a proper bed available.
"We didn't have enough beds, so two of the guests dossed down on the living room floor."
doss down
B2 informal intransitive
To sleep in a temporary or improvised place, often on the floor or somewhere basic.
In plain English
To sleep somewhere that isn't your bed, usually in a rough or temporary spot.
What does "doss down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To sleep rough or without a fixed home, often on the streets.
"During those difficult months, he was dossing down in doorways around the city."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lie down for a doss (British slang: a sleep).
Actually means
To sleep somewhere that isn't your bed, usually in a rough or temporary spot.
Usage tip
British English. Often implies sleeping rough or at someone else's place informally. Associated with backpacking, poverty, or casual visits.
Words that pair with "doss down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
floor sofa friend's place hostel rough anywhere
How to conjugate "doss down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
doss down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dosses down
he/she/it
Past simple
dossed down
yesterday
Past participle
dossed down
have + pp
-ing form
dossing down
continuous
Hear "doss down" in the wild
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