sleeper

[ˈsliːpər]

sleeper Definition

  • 1a train carriage or compartment with sleeping accommodations, especially on a long-distance journey
  • 2a person or thing that achieves unexpected success after an initial period of obscurity
  • 3a spy planted in advance for future use, but not currently active

Using sleeper: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sleeper" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    I always book a sleeper when I travel overnight by train.

  • Example

    The movie was a sleeper hit, making millions at the box office despite low expectations.

  • Example

    The intelligence agency had planted a sleeper agent years ago, waiting for the right moment to activate them.

sleeper Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sleeper

  • mole
  • sleeper car
  • sleeper compartment
  • sleeper agent
  • undercover agent

Phrases with sleeper

  • a sofa that can be converted into a bed, typically by folding out the seat or backrest

    Example

    We don't have a guest room, so we got a sleeper sofa for visitors.

  • a wrestling move in which one wrestler puts another in a chokehold to make them unconscious

    Example

    The wrestler won the match by putting his opponent in a sleeper hold.

  • a large ocean wave that appears suddenly and without warning, often caused by underwater earthquakes or landslides

    Example

    The beach was closed due to the danger of sleeper waves.

Origins of sleeper

from the verb 'sleep', referring to the sleeping accommodations in a train

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Summary: sleeper in Brief

The term 'sleeper' [ˈsliːpər] has three main meanings. First, it refers to a train carriage or compartment with sleeping accommodations. Second, it can describe a person or thing that achieves unexpected success after an initial period of obscurity. Finally, it can refer to a spy planted in advance for future use, but not currently active. 'Sleeper' extends into phrases like 'sleeper sofa,' and 'sleeper hold,' denoting a convertible sofa and a wrestling move, respectively.

How do native speakers use this expression?