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sleep in

A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To stay asleep in the morning for longer than usual, often on a day off.

Literal meaning: To remain inside (in bed) while sleeping — largely transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To sleep later than one's usual time, especially on a day off.

"After a busy week, she finally got to sleep in on Saturday morning."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To sleep at one's place of work rather than travelling home (e.g. a live-in carer or domestic worker).

"The nanny sleeps in during the week and goes home on weekends."

Grammar: inseparable
3 A2 neutral

To sleep through an alarm and wake up late as a result (accidental).

"He slept in and missed the first train, arriving to work an hour late."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common in everyday English. 'Sleep in' is standard in American English; British speakers often prefer 'have a lie-in'. Can also mean to reside at a place of work, but this sense is less common.

Commonly used with

weekend Saturday Sunday holiday late morning

Forms

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

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