|
[asleep at the
switch] {adj. phr.} 1. Asleep when it is one's duty to move a railroad switch for
cars to go on the right track.
The new man was asleep at the switch and the
two trains crashed.
2. {informal} Failing to act promptly as expected, not alert
to an opportunity.
When the ducks flew over, the boy was asleep at the switch
and missed his shot.
|