put to sleep

Related to put to sleep: euthanasia, put to bed, euthanised

put (one) to sleep

1. To cause one to fall asleep. My medication always puts me to sleep, so I can't take it before driving. Some calming music usually puts the kids right to sleep.
2. To cause one to be extremely bored, to the point of being distracted or sleepy. Today's lecture really put me to sleep. You need to work on your speech, or you're going to put your audience to sleep!
3. To render one unconscious via general anesthesia (as during a medical procedure). They're going to put me to sleep while they take my wisdom teeth out.
4. To euthanize an animal. We knew our poor dog was suffering, so we decided it was time to put her to sleep.
See also: put, sleep

put (something) to sleep

1. To kill an animal via euthanasia so as not to cause pain. The poor dog was so old that the only thing I could do was put it to sleep. It couldn't even walk anymore.
2. To put an electronic device, such as a computer or phone, into standby while not in use. Be sure to put the computer to sleep when you're finished so you don't waste electricity.
See also: put, sleep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put (someone or an animal) to sleep

 
1. to cause someone or an animal to sleep, perhaps through drugs or anesthesia. The doctor put the patient to sleep before the operation. I put the cat to sleep by stroking its tummy.
2. Euph. to kill someone or an animal. We had to put our dog to sleep. The robber said he'd put us to sleep forever if we didn't cooperate.
See also: put, sleep

put someone to sleep

 
1. to bore someone. That dull lecture put me to sleep. Her long story just put me to sleep.
2. Go to put someone or an animal to sleep.
See also: put, sleep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put to sleep

1. Bore utterly, as in That show put me to sleep. This hyperbolic term implies that something is so dull one could fall asleep.
2. Kill, especially as a kindness, as in We had to put the cat to sleep. This euphemism dates from the mid-1900s.
3. Subject to anesthesia, as in This injection will put you to sleep so you won't feel any pain.
See also: put, sleep
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

put somebody/something to ˈsleep


1 give somebody drugs (= an anaesthetic) before an operation to make them unconscious: Before the operation we’ll put you to sleep, so don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.
2 kill a sick or injured animal by giving it drugs so that it dies without pain: She took her old dog to the vet and he put it to sleep.
See also: put, sleep, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put to sleep

1. To make weary; bore.
2. To subject to euthanasia.
3. To subject to general anesthesia.
See also: put, sleep
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • put (one) to sleep
  • put somebody/something to sleep
  • put someone in mind of
  • put someone in mind of something
  • put you in mind of somebody/something
  • put in mind
  • put in mind of
  • put one in mind of
  • put (one) in mind of (someone or something)
  • talk is cheap
References in periodicals archive
"People who are leaving the island can always call me for advice, turn their pets over to the BSPCA or, as a last resort, have them put to sleep. Please, please, don't just leave them on the streets - this is what happens to them."
This dog was dumped on streets and left to starve
A member of the audience at the meeting commented that studies of mothers in focus groups suggest that many worry that infants will choke if put to sleep on their backs.
SIDS education should vary by race: expand efforts
The team found that infants were placed on their stomachs by 70 percent of caregivers in 1992--before the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that babies be put to sleep on their backs or on their sides.
More babies sleep safely
A post about the dogs being put to sleep should they fail to be adopted by June 18 garnered almost 12,000 reactions, with netizens calling the OCV 'inhumane.'
35 dogs at Muntinlupa pound up for adoption
Sadly, with renal failure inevitable, devastated Tracey agreed he could be put to sleep.
Pet cat is victim of poisoning
RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: "We fear this was a deliberate attack - and the gull's injuries were so severe that the poor thing had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.
Gull put down after 'deliberate attack' with air rifle inflicted severe injuries
But before the move, government and council officials ordered the cat to be put to sleep.
Kitten survives 4000-mile sea trip.. and is put down; Euthanasia move shocks animal rescuers
PAUL O'Grady has told of his devastation after his dog Olga was put to sleep yesterday.
Paul's painful farewell to beloved pet
Paul O'Grady is devastated after his dog Olga was put to sleep today.
"I held her and off she went": TV star Paul O'Grady reveals devastation after his dog Olga was put to sleep; The star told how he carried the 14-year-old Cairn terrier cross into his garden with the vet and friends to say goodbye
Very sadly Basil had to be put to sleep in July after contracting a very aggressive throat tumour which wasn't related to the case.
Owner banned after causing dog to suffer
A JACKDAW has been put to sleep after becoming stuck to freshly painted rugby posts.
Jackdaw put down after freak accident
Poppy, 12, was put to sleep on the farm on Thursday as she was unable to stand up after birthing.
Horse dies giving birth at Cannon Hall Farm; SHIRE PRODUCED A FIVE-FOOT TALL FOAL WHICH STAFF NAMED POPPY
He has demanded a full explanation from Northumberland County Council following our revelations it has put to sleep 31 horses seized as part of a clampdown on illegal grazing.
MP demands answers over horse slaughters
RSPCA Cymru says it was contacted last week after a male tabby cat was put to sleep on veterinary advice after he returned home to Abbey Court in Church Village extremely unwell and showing symptoms of poisoning.
RSPCA warning to pet owners after cats are poisoned
The petition, called Don't Let This Dog be Put to Sleep, has been launched on the Care2 petition site - and more than 10,000 people from countries including USA, Sweden, France, Belgium, India and Brazil have signed it.
Thousands sign online petition to save Mutley