esl #english #idioms #informal #adjective

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.

1. {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. Categories: {adj. phr.} {informal}