Sleeping policeman Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈsɫipɪŋ/ /pəˈɫismən

SLEE-ping puh-LEES-muhn

UK

slˈiːpɪŋ/ /pəlˈiːsmən

sleep-ing puh-LEES-muhn

Definition

A "sleeping policeman" is a raised bump built into the road to slow down vehicles, also known as a speed bump.

Usage & Nuances

This is a British informal expression for 'speed bump.' Not commonly used in American English. Used in literal and playful contexts. 'Sleeping policeman' is never about an actual police officer.

• Spanish: policía tumbado - lomo de burro
• Portuguese (BR): quebra-molas
• Portuguese (PT): lombas
• Chinese (Simplified): 减速带
• Chinese (Traditional): 減速帶
• Hindi: स्पीड ब्रेकर
• Arabic: مطب صناعي
• Bengali: স্পিড ব্রেকার - স্পিড বাম্প
• Russian: лежачий полицейский
• Japanese: スピードバンプ - ハンプ
• Vietnamese: gờ giảm tốc - gờ đường
• Korean: 과속방지턱
• Turkish: kasis - hız tümseği
• Urdu: سپیڈ بریکر - رفتار کم کرنے کا اُبھار
• Indonesian: polisi tidur - speed bump

Example Sentences

We had to slow down for a sleeping policeman.

basic

There is a sleeping policeman in front of the school.

basic

The sign warns about a sleeping policeman ahead.

basic

Oops! I didn’t see the sleeping policeman and I went over it too fast.

natural

Locals joke that the village is full of sleeping policemen.

natural

Be careful—there’s a sleeping policeman just after the corner.

natural