Sleeping On

What does sleeping on mean?

Underestimating

When you underestimate or undervalue someone or something, you are "sleeping on" them. The phrase plays off the idea that a person cares so little about something to the point where he is literally sleeping.

People may use the phrase in various contexts to lament how someone didn't give you or something else the proper attention it deserves. It may be an employer who wrote off an applicant based on their appearance or a girl who won't give a guy a chance because he's too nice.

It is also commonly used in the realm of competition when a sports team or individual competitor overlooks a weaker opponent. This plays into the "David and Goliath" trope.

Example

This trophy is for all the haters who were sleeping on me!
Confession about sleeping on a movie
Confession about sleeping on a movie

Related Slang

Categories

Updated March 10, 2021

Sleeping on definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the slang term "Sleeping on" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know!