What Does "Asleep at the Switch" Mean?
"Asleep at the switch" is an English idiom. It means "not attentive or alert; negligent."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "asleep at the switch" used in a sentence:- We can't afford to be asleep at the switch during this project.
- The security guard was asleep at the switch when the intruders entered.
- Management was asleep at the switch, which led to the company's downfall.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Asleep at the Switch" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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