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sleep around

B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To have sex with a lot of different people without being in a serious relationship.

Literal meaning: To sleep in many places around — originally meaning to sleep in various locations, now almost entirely sexual in meaning.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To have casual sexual relationships with many different people.

"His reputation for sleeping around made it hard for him to be taken seriously."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Has a notably judgmental tone in many contexts, particularly when applied to women, reflecting societal double standards. Used widely in both British and American English. Learners should be aware that this phrase can be offensive depending on the context.

Commonly used with

reputation freely before settling down promiscuously rumored

Forms

Base
sleep around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sleeps around
he/she/it
Past simple
slept around
yesterday
Past participle
slept around
have + pp
-ing form
sleeping around
continuous

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