Sleep with the fishes Meaning in English

expression

US

SLEEP with the FISH-ez

UK

sleep with the FISH-iz

Definition

A slang expression meaning someone has been killed and their body disposed of in water, often by criminals; a euphemism for being murdered.

Usage & Nuances

Highly informal and associated with mafia or gangster movies; not literal. Used jokingly or dramatically, usually in reference to someone being 'eliminated.' Not used about natural death. Originated in American English, famously from 'The Godfather'.

• Spanish: dormir con los peces (eufemismo de ser asesinado)
• Portuguese (BR): dormir com os peixes (eufemismo para ser morto)
• Portuguese (PT): dormir com os peixes (eufemismo para ser morto)
• Chinese (Simplified): 和鱼一起睡觉（被杀害的委婉说法）
• Chinese (Traditional): 和魚一起睡覺（被殺害的委婉說法）
• Hindi: मछलियों के साथ सोना (मार दिए जाने के लिए बोलचाल का रूप)
• Arabic: ينام مع الأسماك (تعبير مجازي عن القتل)
• Bengali: জলের নিচে চিরনিদ্রা - খুন করে পানিতে ফেলে দেওয়া
• Russian: спать с рыбами
• Japanese: 魚と一緒に眠る
• Vietnamese: ngủ với cá - bị phi tang xác dưới nước
• Korean: 물고기와 함께 잠들다
• Turkish: balıklarla uyumak
• Urdu: مچھلیوں کے ساتھ سونا
• Indonesian: tidur dengan ikan

Example Sentences

He threatened to make him sleep with the fishes.

basic

Everyone in the gang fears sleeping with the fishes.

basic

The boss said the traitor would soon sleep with the fishes.

basic

If you mess with them, you might end up sleeping with the fishes.

natural

'The Godfather' made the phrase 'sleep with the fishes' famous.

natural

Don't worry, that's just his way of joking about making people sleep with the fishes.

natural