Definitions

asleep at the switch

ADJECTIVE

heedless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

inattentive reckless

WEAK

daydreaming disregardful fast and loose feckless foolhardy goofing off impetuous imprudent inadvertent incautious inconsiderate irreflective neglectful negligent oblivious out to lunch precipitate rash slapdash sloppy thoughtless uncaring unmindful unobservant unthinking unwary

Antonyms

WEAK

attentive careful caring cautious concerned heedful observant thoughtful

ADVERB

off-guard

Synonyms

WEAK

asleep derelict flat-footed napping negligent not on the job unalert unguarded unprepared unready unwatchful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Nobody was watching. Everyone was asleep at the switch.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Americans tend to be asleep at the switch.

From Salon

“They’ve been asleep at the switch,” election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg said.

From Seattle Times

Expect sharp questions at the hearings, especially as regulators point the finger at SVB’s management, while lawmakers ask whether banking authorities were asleep at the switch.

From New York Times

How to say you’ve been totally asleep at the switch of your children’s life without saying it?

From Washington Post

asleep at the switch

Example Sentences

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