Sleep on
Meaning: To underestimate, ignore, or fail to appreciate someone or something's value.
To sleep on something means to overlook or not give it the attention it deserves. If you're 'sleeping on' a new artist, you're missing out on great music. If people are 'sleeping on' a restaurant, it means the place is underrated. The phrase implies that the thing being slept on deserves much more recognition.
Examples
- Y'all are sleeping on this album — it's the best thing he's ever made. 你们都小看这张专辑了——这是他做过的最好的作品。Estáis subestimando este álbum — es lo mejor que ha hecho nunca.みんなこのアルバムを見くびってるけど、今までの最高傑作だぞ。다들 이 앨범을 과소평가하고 있어 — 걔가 만든 것 중 최고야.
- Don't sleep on her — she's about to be the next big thing. 别小看她——她马上就要大红大紫了。No la subestimes — está a punto de ser la próxima gran estrella.彼女を甘く見るなよ — 次の大スターになるぞ。그녀를 얕보지 마 — 곧 차세대 스타가 될 거야.
- People sleep on that little taco stand, but it has the best tacos in the city. 大家都没把那个小小的墨西哥卷摊放在眼里,但那里有全城最好吃的墨西哥卷。La gente subestima ese pequeño puesto de tacos, pero tiene los mejores tacos de la ciudad.みんなあの小さなタコスの屋台を見くびってるけど、街で一番うまいタコスがあるんだぜ。사람들이 저 작은 타코 가판대를 무시하는데, 도시에서 제일 맛있는 타코가 거기 있어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: music, food, sports, recommendations
Tone: insistent, advocating
✓ Do Say
- Don't sleep on this.别小看这个。No lo subestimes.これを見くびるなよ。이걸 과소평가하지 마.
- Y'all are sleeping on her talent.你们都在低估她的才华。Estáis subestimando su talento.みんな彼女の才能を見くびりすぎ。다들 그녀의 재능을 과소평가하고 있어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't confuse with literally sleeping on furniture — it means underestimating or ignoring不要和字面上的睡在家具上混淆——它的意思是低估或忽视No confundir con dormir literalmente sobre un mueble — significa subestimar o ignorar家具の上で寝ることと混同しないこと — 過小評価する・無視するという意味말 그대로 가구 위에서 자는 것과 혼동하지 말 것 — 과소평가하거나 무시한다는 뜻이다
Origin & History
Originated in AAVE, likely connected to the idea of being asleep (unaware) while something great is happening. The phrase has been used in hip-hop since the 1990s and is now one of the most common ways Americans describe something underrated.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s-present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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