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découcher

to sleep away from home, to stay out all night

verb deh-koo-SHEH Rare
Home & Lifestyle Accommodation

Origin: From dé- (away from) + coucher 'to sleep/lie down'

Usage Note

Découcher means to spend the night somewhere other than one's own home — often implying coming home very late or not at all, sometimes with a connotation of romantic adventure. The prefix dé- signals reversal of the normal state (sleeping at home). It contrasts with rentrer tard (coming home late) in that it implies a full night away.

Examples

"Il a découché sans prévenir sa femme."

Natural Translation

He stayed out all night without telling his wife.

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