"make one's bed" - when do you do it?

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english-kazan

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a bit confused about this one. Does it cut both ways? - something you do before you get into bed and after you get out of it? Please clarify
 

MikeNewYork

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In a literal sense, "make one's bed" refers to straightening the sheets, blankets, and pillows. Normally, one would do that when one gets out of it, so it is tidy. It doesn't really make sense to make one's bed before you get into it.

There is also a figurative sense of "makes one's bed" that refers to one being responsible for the circumstances one has created.

Let's say John cheats on his wife and gets caught. When the wife files for divorce, one could say, "John made his bed and now he has to lie in it."
 

english-kazan

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Thanks, 2 questions arise from this. 1) how do you describe what you do BEFORE you get into bed (the opposite of make one's bed)? and 2) is it just me or doesn't the figurative meaning imply that you lie in your bed after you made it, and not before?
 

MikeNewYork

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Before I get into bed, I pull back the covers and then get under them.

Yes, in the figurative meaning you first make your bed (do something) and then lie in it (suffer the consequences).
 

english-kazan

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Thank you, sorted
 

MikeNewYork

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What does "thank you, sorted" mean?
 

MikeNewYork

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