nap

To sleep for a short time, usually during the day.

• The baby is napping.
• I napped on the sofa after lunch.
• Do you ever nap during the day?

Similar words: doze, snooze

Common phrases: nap after lunch, nap on something, nap for an hour

To fail to pay attention or be ready when something happens.

• The defenders were caught napping.
• A sudden price rise caught the company napping.
• The opposition scored while our team was napping.

How to use it: catch someone napping (The sudden attack caught the defenders napping.)

Similar words: be off guard, be unprepared

Opposites: be alert

Common phrases: catch someone napping, be caught napping

A short sleep, usually during the day.

• I need a nap.
• She had a short nap after lunch.
• Did the baby wake up from his nap?

Similar words: snooze, doze

Common phrases: take a nap, have a nap, afternoon nap, short nap

The soft layer of short raised hairs on cloth or leather.

• This cloth has a soft nap.
• A brush lifted the nap on the suede.
• The velvet's nap was worn away near the edge.

Similar words: pile

Common phrases: soft nap, raised nap, brush the nap

The direction in which the short hairs on a fabric lie.

• Cut each piece with the nap.
• The fabric feels rough when you stroke against the nap.
• Check the nap before laying out your sewing pattern.

Common phrases: with the nap, against the nap, nap direction