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sleep it out

B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Keep sleeping until the bad thing is over.

Literal meaning: To sleep something out — to push something out through sleep.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To sleep until an illness, discomfort, or bad feeling goes away completely.

"You look terrible — just go home and sleep it out; you'll feel better tomorrow."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To sleep through a difficult period or storm rather than dealing with it while awake.

"The blizzard lasted all night, so we decided to sleep it out in the cabin."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Usually used with a specific problem implied by context ('it'). Less common than 'sleep off'. Can also mean to sleep in a place until morning, though this sense is rare.

Commonly used with

illness cold jetlag storm hangover fever

Forms

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

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