slept

Related to slept: slept over, slept off

be sleeping at the switch

To be failing to attend to one's responsibilities or duties; to be inattentive to that which is important or for which one is responsible. Johnson was supposed to make sure the paperwork went through before the deadline, but it looks like he was sleeping at the switch. Our goalkeeper is such a nincompoop. We would have won that match if he hadn't been sleeping at the switch!
See also: sleep, switch

be sleeping at the wheel

To be failing to attend to one's responsibilities or duties; to be inattentive to that which is important or for which one is responsible. Johnson was supposed to make sure the paperwork went through before the deadline, but it looks like he was sleeping at the wheel. Our goalkeeper is such a nincompoop. We would have won that match if he hadn't been sleeping at the wheel!
See also: sleep, wheel

cosleep

Of a parent, to sleep in the same bed or room as one or more of their small or infant children. We're going to try cosleeping once the baby is born.

not sleep a wink

To not get any sleep. Our newborn son is rather colicky, so my wife and I haven't slept a wink the last few nights.
See also: not, sleep, wink

sleep around

To engage in sex with many different partners. The term has a derogatory connotation. Apparently they have an open relationship and don't mind when the other person sleeps around. I had a reputation for sleeping around in college, but they were just baseless rumors.
See also: around, sleep

sleep around the clock

To sleep constantly and for very long periods of time. I found myself with no energy, motivation, or desire or anything, wanting to do nothing but sleep around the clock. I think I might be depressed. After his grueling 36-hour journey to get home, Tom spent the next two days sleeping around the clock.
See also: around, clock, sleep

sleep away

To sleep throughout or during a large portion of a particular period of time, especially when one could have been doing something more fun or productive. A noun or pronoun can be used between "sleep" and "away." No, you can't just sleep away the whole weekend again! I want you out of bed by 10 AM tomorrow, ready to do something outside! I was so rundown from the 'flu that I just slept the whole day away.
See also: away, sleep

sleep in

1. To sleep later than one is normally accustomed or allowed to, either by mistake or on purpose. My alarm didn't go off, and I ended up sleeping in by mistake! I'm taking the kids to the movies to let my wife sleep in this morning.
2. To sleep at one's place of employment at night. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. Staff of the hotel is be able to sleep in while working night shifts. We hired a sleep-in nanny to help us during the night time.
See also: sleep

sleep like a baby

To experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly. I can't believe you finished a triathlon! You're going to sleep like a baby tonight. I have to set numerous alarms for the morning because I sleep like a baby every night!
See also: baby, like, sleep

sleep like a log

To experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly. I can't believe you finished a triathlon! You're going to sleep like a log tonight. I have to set numerous alarms for the morning because I sleep like a log every night!
See also: like, log, sleep

sleep like a rock

To experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly. I can't believe you finished a triathlon! You're going to sleep like a rock tonight. I have to set numerous alarms for the morning because I sleep like a rock every night!
See also: like, rock, sleep

sleep like a top

To experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly. I can't believe you finished a triathlon! You're going to sleep like a top tonight. I have to set numerous alarms for the morning because I sleep like a top every night!
See also: like, sleep, top

sleep off

To reduce or rid oneself of some unpleasant condition by getting extra sleep. A noun or pronoun can be used between "sleep" and "off." He drank a bit too much, but he'll be fine—he just needs to sleep it off. I think I'll head home early and try to sleep off this head cold.
See also: off, sleep

sleep on (someone or something)

slang To fail to appreciate or ignore the significance of someone or something. Typically used as an imperative. Don't sleep on this song—it's so good! A lot of people slept on this team coming into the playoffs, but now everyone is waking up to how good they are.
See also: on, sleep

sleep on (something)

To postpone a decision until the following day so that one has additional time to consider it. Why don't you sleep on the offer and let us know your decision in the morning? I'm still not sure if I'm ready to spend that much money. Can I sleep on it?
See also: on, sleep

sleep over

1. verb To sleep in another person's home as their guest. My son is sleeping over at his friend's house tonight. It's getting late, so why don't you both sleep over in our spare room?
2. verb By extension, to spend the night in someone's bed, with the implication of having sex with them. Are you sure you're ready for him to sleep over? You've only been going out for a couple weeks. Even when I was in my mid-20s, my parents still didn't allow my girlfriend to sleep over.
3. noun A gathering in which one or multiple people (typically children) sleep in another person's home as guests. As a noun, the phrase is usually spelled as one word. Julie is just nervous because it's her first sleepover, but she brought her special teddy bear to help her feel comfortable.
See also: over, sleep

sleep rough

To sleep outside at night, usually because one has no home or shelter. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The government's aim is to have the number of people sleeping rough halved in five years' time. I slept rough for a couple of years after my house was repossessed. It's not something I would wish on anyone.
See also: rough, sleep

sleep through

1. To sleep the entire night without waking. Our first baby was nearly nine months old before she finally started sleeping through.
2. To remain asleep while something happens. I can't believe you slept through my recital, Dad! I keep sleeping through my alarm in the morning. How on earth did the baby sleep through that racket coming from next door?
See also: sleep, through

sleep together

euphemism Of two people, to have sex. Are you sure you're ready to sleep together? You've only been going out for a couple weeks. I heard that the boss and Mike from accounting have been sleeping together.
See also: sleep, together

sleep with (one)

euphemism To have sex with one. Are you sure you're ready to sleep with her? You've only been going out for a couple weeks. I don't plan on sleeping with anyone until I'm married.
See also: sleep

sleep with one eye open

To stay awake or sleep very lightly so as to remain very wary, cautious, or alert. I won't forget this insult. You'd better start sleeping with one eye open, because I'll get my revenge.
See also: eye, one, open, sleep

sleep with the fishes

gangster cliché To be murdered and have one's body disposed of in a river, lake, or ocean. Make sure that no-good snitch sleeps with the fishes before he gets a chance to testify in court.
See also: Fishes, sleep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not sleep a wink

not to sleep at all. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. Ann hasn't been able to sleep a wink for a week.
See also: not, sleep, wink

sleep around the clock

to sleep for a full twenty-four hours; to sleep for a very long time. I was so tired I could have slept around the clock. When I got home,I lay down and slept around the clock.
See also: around, clock, sleep

sleep around (with someone)

Inf. to have sex with several partners over time; to be promiscuous. They say she sleeps around with just anybody all the time. Yes, she sleeps around.
See also: around, sleep

sleep in

to oversleep; to sleep late in the morning. If you sleep in again, you'll get fired. I really felt like sleeping in this morning.
See also: sleep

sleep like a log

 and sleep like a baby
to sleep very soundly. Everyone in our family sleeps like a log, so no one heard the thunderstorm in the middle of the night. Nothing can wake me up. I usually sleep like a baby.
See also: like, log, sleep

sleep over (with someone) (some place)

to spend the night sleeping at someone else's home. (Typically said by teenagers or younger children who spend the night with a friend.) Mom, can I sleep over with Tony? Can I sleep over at Tony's house?
See also: over, sleep

sleep something away

to spend or waste a specific period of time sleeping. You can't sleep the whole day away! Jim slept away his whole vacation.
See also: away, sleep

sleep something off

to sleep while the effects of liquor or drugs pass away. John drank too much and went home to sleep it off. Bill is at home sleeping off the effects of the drug they gave him.
See also: off, sleep

sleep through something

to remain sleeping through some event. I didn't hear the storm. I guess I slept through it. Wally slept through the entire opera—even the loud part.
See also: sleep, through

sleep together

 
1. [for two or more people] to share a bed. Do you mean that Fred and Dave have to sleep together? My brother and I used to have to sleep together.
2. Euph. [for two people] to copulate. Do you think they slept together? Ted and Alice slept together a lot when they were in college.
See also: sleep, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

sleep around

Engage in sex promiscuously, as in Fortunately, no one mentioned that both of them had slept around in their younger days . [Colloquial; 1920s]
See also: around, sleep

sleep in

1. Sleep at one's place of employment, as in They have a butler and maid who both sleep in. [First half of 1800s]
2. Sleep late, either accidentally or deliberately. For example, I slept in and missed my usual train, or On weekends we like to sleep in. [Late 1800s]
See also: sleep

sleep like a log

Also, sleep like a top. Sleep very soundly, as in I slept like a log, or She said she slept like a top. Both of these similes transfer the immobility of an object to that of a person who is sound asleep (since a top spinning quickly looks immobile). The first dates from the late 1600s; the variant is newer.
See also: like, log, sleep

sleep over

Spend the night as a guest in another's home, as in Karen's friend Wilma is going to sleep over tonight. [Second half of 1800s]
See also: over, sleep

sleep through

1. Sleep without waking for a period of time, usually the night, as in At three months many babies have learned to sleep through. [Mid-1900s]
2. sleep through something. Fail to pay attention, as in We all slept through the explanation and then had trouble getting the machines started.
See also: sleep, through
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

sleep like a log

COMMON If you sleep like a log, you have a very deep sleep. I slept like a log last night and feel full of energy.
See also: like, log, sleep

sleep rough

BRITISH
When people sleep rough, they sleep out of doors, usually because they have no home. It makes me so sad when I see young people begging or sleeping rough on the streets. Note: You can also say that someone lives rough. He looked like he'd been living rough for the last few days.
See also: rough, sleep

not sleep a wink

If you do not sleep a wink, you do not sleep at all although you try hard to. This was my first Grand Prix win of the season and I was so excited I couldn't sleep a wink that night. Note: You can also say that you do not get a wink of sleep with the same meaning. The hotel was so noisy, I didn't get a wink of sleep.
See also: not, sleep, wink
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

sleep rough

sleep in uncomfortable conditions, usually out of doors. British
See also: rough, sleep

sleep like a log (or top)

sleep very soundly.
See also: like, log, sleep

sleep with one eye open

sleep very lightly so as to be aware of what is happening around you.
See also: eye, one, open, sleep

not sleep (or get) a wink (or not get a wink of sleep)

not sleep at all.
See also: not, sleep, wink
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

not sleep a ˈwink

,

not get a ˈwink of sleep

not sleep at all: I didn’t sleep a wink last night because I was worrying about my driving test.
See also: not, sleep, wink
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

sleep around

v.
1. To be sexually active with more than one partner: I'm surprised they're getting married, considering how much they both sleep around.
2. sleep around on To be sexually unfaithful to someone: I am certain my spouse is sleeping around on me.
See also: around, sleep

sleep in

v.
1. To oversleep: I missed the morning train because I slept in.
2. To sleep late on purpose: After this week's work, I will sleep in on Saturday.
3. To sleep at one's place of employment: Their nanny sleeps in so she can take care of the children at night.
See also: sleep

sleep off

v.
To get rid of something while sleeping: She went home to sleep off her headache. He has a hangover—let him sleep it off.
See also: off, sleep

sleep over

v.
To spend the night as a guest in another's home: A friend from out of town slept over last night. You can sleep over on the couch if you're too tired to drive home.
See also: over, sleep

sleep together

v.
1. To share a bed or room for sleeping. The baby twins sleep together in their crib. Both guests slept together in our spare room.
2. To have sexual relations: They didn't sleep together until they were married.
See also: sleep, together
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be sleeping at the switch
  • be sleeping at the wheel
  • sleeping at the switch
  • fall asleep at the switch
  • fall asleep at the wheel
  • be asleep at the wheel
  • be asleep at the switch
  • a lion in the way
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
References in periodicals archive
In the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study, those who slept for five hours had 15 percent lower leptin levels and 15 percent higher ghrelin levels than those who slept for eight hours.
How sleep affects your weight
Mothers must teach infants proper sleep habits, featuring "long hours of sleep interrupted only by regular feedings, baths in water and sunlight, and the 'mothering' permissible for a few minutes before each feeding." That infant was best, clearly, who slept the most - a sentiment echoed in numerous advice manuals and, apparently, by parents who sought doctors' help in getting recalcitrant newborns to sleep through most of the day and night.
Even the notion of increasing the amount of time children slept, while responding to the growing concerns about doing everything possible to promote good health and growth, appealed to the unstated desire to get the little darlings out of parental hair now that there was less supplemental help and some new leisure alternatives.
Children's sleep: sketching historical change
There was also an association between those who slept more than eight hours a night and atherosclerosis risk.
Sleeping less than six hours a night increases risk of heart attack - study
Furthermore, six men who didn't undergo any virtual-town training also received brain monitoring and PET scans while they slept.
Wayfaring sleepers: brain area linked to slumber-aided recall
Test participants fell asleep faster and slept more deeply when they were sleep deprived, demonstrating that their bodies were trying to compensate for the reduced sleep time, he adds.
Missed zzz's, more disease? Skimping on sleep may be bad for your health
On the last night, each participant set aside a saliva sample, slept through the night, and then skipped breakfast.
Does lack of sleep lead to diabetes?
Mice with a mutation in one of their two copies of the gene named Clock slept 1 hour less than their normal counterparts, while mice with mutations in both copies of Clock slept 2 hours less.
Two aspects of sleep share a master
The researchers studied another six adults as they performed the same task and while they slept that night.
Sleepers yield memorable brain images
Girls slept more minutes per night than boys did, the difference reaching a peak of 24 minutes per night in the fourth grade.
Grade-Schoolers Grow into Sleep Loss
The flies slept less after ingesting caffeine and rested more after eating a compound that mimics adenosine.
Fly naps inspire dreams of sleep genetics
Volunteers slept for 11 hours each of the first few nights, apparently to catch up on their sleep.
Slumber's Unexplored Landscape
Researchers in four countries have found that as a smaller proportion of children slept prone, the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) fell.
Infants' deaths become less mysterious
Conversely, the morning after they were awakened during non-REM sleep, they did just as well as when they had slept undisturbed, the Israeli researchers discovered.
For a good memory, dream on
However, toddlers who routinely slept with their parents more than once a week proved 10 times more likely to dislike sleeping alone and up to four times more likely to resist going to bed than children who rarely or never slept with their parents.
Sweeter slumber for tots who sleep solo