Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/the-big-sleep/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [T](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/t/) / the big sleep

# the big sleep

phrase (noun phrase, «the big sleep»; no plural)

«the big 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, humorous or literary) death.
2. (rare, literal) a very long sleep.

### In the lessons

Used to speak about death in a softer, darkly joking or story-like way; common in crime stories and tough-guy films, and in jokes among adults. Phrases: «go to the big sleep», «the big sleep came for him». It tells the reader that someone has died or will die, said with a hard or wry tone.

### Examples

- In the old detective story, the gangster sent his enemies to the big sleep.
- The old dog finally went to the big sleep under the apple tree.
- (joke) "Wake me when the meeting's over." "That's not a nap, that's the big sleep."
- Nobody likes to think about the big sleep, but Grandad jokes about it all the time.
- (rough talk) Cross that lot and you'll be taking the big sleep.
- (literal) After the long hike I had a big sleep — eleven hours!
- The poem compares winter to the big sleep of the earth.

### Note

Trap: «the big sleep» means death, but «a big sleep» or «a long sleep» can just mean a lot of rest. It sounds cold or jokey, so never use it to a grieving family; say «passed away» or «died». The tone comes from crime fiction.