Meaning
To be unable to sleep at all during the night.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the phrase is often linked to 'la juerga' (partying). It's common to hear it on Saturday mornings when people meet for chocolate con churros after not sleeping. In Mexico, 'desvelarse' is a very common verb for staying up late, but 'no pegar ojo' is used for the more extreme version where sleep was impossible. Argentines might use 'pasar la noche en vela' alongside 'no pegar ojo', especially when referring to political or social vigils. In Colombia, the phrase is used frequently in the context of 'el sereno' (the night air/watchman), where people believe the night air might keep you from 'pegar ojo'.
Use with 'en toda la noche'
To sound like a native, always add 'en toda la noche' at the end for extra drama.
Singular only
Avoid saying 'no pegué ojos'. Even though you have two, the idiom prefers the singular 'ojo'.
Meaning
To be unable to sleep at all during the night.
Use with 'en toda la noche'
To sound like a native, always add 'en toda la noche' at the end for extra drama.
Singular only
Avoid saying 'no pegué ojos'. Even though you have two, the idiom prefers the singular 'ojo'.
The 'Complaint' Tone
This phrase is almost always used as a complaint. Use a tired tone of voice!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'pegar' in the past tense (Pretérito Indefinido).
Anoche el perro ladró mucho y yo no ________ ojo.
The subject is 'yo' (I), so the correct conjugation is 'pegué'.
What does 'no pegar ojo' mean?
Si alguien dice 'No he pegado ojo', ¿qué quiere decir?
The idiom 'no pegar ojo' specifically means not sleeping at all.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: ¿Por qué tienes tanta cafeína? B: Es que anoche ________________.
'No pegué ojo' is the standard idiomatic expression for not sleeping.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You stayed up all night studying for an exam.
The negative form is required to indicate a lack of sleep.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAnoche el perro ladró mucho y yo no ________ ojo.
The subject is 'yo' (I), so the correct conjugation is 'pegué'.
Si alguien dice 'No he pegado ojo', ¿qué quiere decir?
The idiom 'no pegar ojo' specifically means not sleeping at all.
A: ¿Por qué tienes tanta cafeína? B: Es que anoche ________________.
'No pegué ojo' is the standard idiomatic expression for not sleeping.
You stayed up all night studying for an exam.
The negative form is required to indicate a lack of sleep.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsSí, es común en algunos países de Latinoamérica, pero 'no pegar ojo' es más universal.
No, es totalmente neutra y se puede usar en cualquier situación.
Normalmente no. Se usa para la falta de sueño durante la noche.
Porque 'pegar' significa 'stick'. Se refiere a que los párpados se pegan cuando duermes.
'Insomnio' es el término médico; 'no pegar ojo' es la expresión coloquial.
Related Phrases
pasar la noche en vela
synonymTo stay awake all night.
quedarse frito
contrastTo fall asleep instantly.
tener sueño
builds onTo be sleepy.
dormir como un tronco
contrastTo sleep like a log.
