fall asleep at the switch

by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates

[fall asleep at the switch] {v. phr.}

To fail to perform an expected task; be remiss in one's duty.

* /The two airplanes wouldn't have collided, if the control tower operator hadn't fallen asleep at the switch./

* /The dean promised our department $250,000 but the foundation never sent the money because someone in the dean's office fell asleep at the switch./

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	{v. phr.} ²¹⁸²

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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	See also »
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