asleep

*asleep at the switch

Fig. not attending to one's job; failing to do one's duty at the proper time. (Alludes to a technician or engineer on a train sleeping instead of turning whatever switches are required. *Typically: be ~; fall ~.) The security guard fell asleep at the switch and a robber broke in. If I hadn't been asleep at the switch, I'd have noticed the car being stolen.

See also: switch

fall asleep

Fig. to go to sleep. I fell asleep while reading the very dull book. I got in bed and fell asleep at once.

See also: fall

sound asleep

completely asleep; in a deep sleep. I was sound asleep when the fire broke out.

See also: sound

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be asleep at the switch  (American)

if someone is asleep at the switch, they are not ready to act quickly to avoid problems and do their job well Let's face it, if employees were stealing all that money, then management was asleep at the switch.

See also: switch

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asleep at the switch

not paying attention asleep at the wheel Health experts were asleep at the switch when the disease began to spread rapidly again.

Etymology: based on the idea of someone going to sleep while they are responsible for operating the switch (device) that allows a train to move from one track to another

See also: switch

asleep at the wheel

not paying attention asleep at the switch Why was our government asleep at the wheel when the crisis began?

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of asleep at the wheel (sleeping while driving a vehicle)

See also: wheel

sound asleep

in a deep sleep He knew she would be sound asleep after an exhausting day of work.

See also: sound