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# put to sleep

phrase (verb phrase: put to sleep, puts to sleep, put to sleep, putting to sleep)

«put to sleep» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite) kill an animal painlessly, by a vet.
2. (literal) make someone fall asleep, e.g. with anaesthetic before an operation or by singing to a baby.

### In the lessons

Families, especially with children, use it about a pet's death to be gentle. Polite register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- The vet put our old cat to sleep.
- The doctor will put you to sleep for the operation.
- Mum put the baby to sleep with a song.
- They had to put the dog to sleep because he was very ill.
- This boring film could put anyone to sleep.
- Our rabbit was put to sleep when he got too sick.

### Note

For pets it means death, not sleep; children may be confused and think the pet will wake up. For people in hospital it means anaesthetic. Plain words: kill painlessly (an animal), anaesthetise.