Not get/have a wink of sleep

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional State

The phrase emphasizes a stressful or anxious condition that prevents sleep.

Before the job interview, I couldn't get a wink of sleep.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

It may be an exaggeration, not always meaning zero sleep, but very little or poor quality.

With the baby crying all night, we didn't get a wink of sleep.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Expressions

It's common in English to use 'a wink' as a way to talk about sleep, though other cultures may not do this.

At the noisy hotel, I didn't get a wink of sleep.