sleep on
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle on
Meanings
Wait until the next day before deciding
Why “on”? After considering the options, the mind makes one choice.
“Let me sleep on the offer.”
“She slept on the decision and called me the next morning.”
Ignore or miss a good chance while it is available
Why “on”? A chance is available. A person may use it quickly or fail to notice it.
“Don't sleep on this job opening.”
“Many readers slept on the book until it won a prize.”
Don't confuse with
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?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
sleep in
A contrast learners often mix up
Sleep later than usual in the morning
agree on
Same on pattern: decision
Reach a shared decision about something
decide on
Same on pattern: decision
Make a final choice about something
pass on
Same on pattern: decision
Give something to another person; Politely refuse an offer; Die, used as a polite expression
seize on
Same on pattern: opportunity
Take quick advantage of an opportunity
settle on
Same on pattern: decision
Reach a final decision after considering options
sleep around
Same base verb: sleep
Have casual sexual relationships with several people
sleep off
Same base verb: sleep
Recover from something by sleeping
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