sleep on

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle on

Meanings

1

Wait until the next day before deciding

Why “on”? After weighing options, the mind settles on one choice.

Let me sleep on the offer.
Let me wait until the morning before deciding about the offer.
Sleep on the plan before you agree.
Wait until tomorrow before deciding about the plan.
2

Ignore or miss a good chance while it is available

Why “on”? Eyes or thought land on a point and stay there.

Don't sleep on this job opening.
Do not ignore this job opening while you can still apply.
They slept on the sale until it ended.
They ignored the sale and lost the chance to use it.

Don't confuse with

sleep onsleep in

Sleep on means wait until the next day before deciding. Sleep in means sleep later than usual in the morning.

Test yourself

Let me sleep on the offer. What does it mean?

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