How to Pronounce "asleep at the switch"
expression
uh-SLEEP at thuh SWITCH
uh-SLEEP at thuh SWITCH
Definition
If someone is "asleep at the switch," they are not paying attention or failing to do their job when they should be alert.
IPA Transcription
American English
əˈsɫip/ /ˈæt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈswɪtʃ
British English
ɐslˈiːp/ /ˈæt/ /ðə, ði/ /swˈɪtʃ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh-SLEEP at thuh SWITCH
UK
uh-SLEEP at thuh SWITCH
Listen in Context
The guard was asleep at the switch when the alarm went off.
He missed the deadline because he was asleep at the switch.
You can't afford to be asleep at the switch during an exam.
The company lost a big client because someone was asleep at the switch.