What are the definitions of “sleep off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Sleep in order to recover from excess alcohol, drugs, etc..
She went to bed TO SLEEP OFF the effects of the tequila.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “sleep off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb sleep off is to rest or sleep in order to recover from the effects of too much alcohol, drugs, or other substances. It is often used when someone needs to recover from a hangover or the effects of a party.
What are the different verb forms of “sleep off”?
| Root Verb | sleep off |
| Third Person Singular Present | sleeps off |
| Present Participle | sleeping off |
| Simple Past | slept off |
| Past Participle | slept off |
Example
He decided to sleep off his hangover.
Example
She sleeps off the effects of the medication.
Example
He is sleeping off the effects of the party last night.
Example
Yesterday, she slept off her headache.
Example
He had slept off the effects of the alcohol by the next morning.
What kind of phrasal verb is “sleep off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“sleep off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She slept off her hangover.
Example
He slept the effects off after the party.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“sleep off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She slept off her hangover.
Example
He slept the effects off after the party.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “sleep off”?
Sleep off the effects of medication
To rest or sleep in order to recover from the side effects of medication.
Example
She needed to sleep off the effects of the strong painkillers.
To rest or sleep in order to recover from extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Example
After the long hike, they needed to sleep off their exhaustion.
Good things to know
Does “sleep off” have an informal or formal tone?
Sleep off is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. It may not be suitable for very formal settings or academic writing.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “sleep off”?
Synonyms
- recover
- rest
- recuperate
- regain strength
- get over
