Asleep at the switch

Posted by R. Berg on October 24, 2003

In Reply to: Asleep at the switch posted by Sax on October 24, 2003

: Hi! My mom thinks this comes from the old railroad days. Is she right? Can you please tell me the meaning and origin? Thank you. Sax

I think mom is right. I've usually heard it as "asleep at the switches." It describes someone who invites disaster by failing to pay attention on the job. An engineer who fell asleep instead of tending to the switches (controls) in the cab of a train would cause a wreck.

• Close, but no cigar GPP 24/October/03
  • Close, but no cigar Bruce Kahl 24/October/03
    • Switch, not plural Bob 24/October/03
      • Asleep at the wheel ESC 24/October/03
        • Switched on Lewis 24/October/03