asleep at the switch

[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./

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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