sleep on it
/sliːp ɒn ɪt/
Meaning
To delay making a decision until the next day, giving yourself time to think about it. It is commonly used when facing important choices, allowing for a fresh perspective in the morning.
Examples
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That's a big decision, so let me sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow.
That's a big decision, so let me sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow.
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Don't sign the contract just yet; sleep on it first.
Don't sign the contract just yet; sleep on it first.
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I decided to sleep on it before accepting the job offer.
I decided to sleep on it before accepting the job offer.
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We don't need to choose a venue today, let's sleep on it.
We don't need to choose a venue today, let's sleep on it.
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After sleeping on it, I realized I didn't actually want to buy the car.
After sleeping on it, I realized I didn't actually want to buy the car.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I need to sleep it.
✓ I need to sleep on it.
The preposition 'on' is essential to the idiom; without it, the phrase loses its meaning.
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✗ I will sleep on the decision.
✓ I will sleep on it.
While grammatically possible, native speakers almost exclusively use the pronoun 'it' within this specific idiomatic expression.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Don't rush into buying that house; you should ___ first.
💡 Delay the decision until tomorrow.
Show answer
sleep on it
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I'm not sure yet. Can I ___ and let you know tomorrow morning?
💡 Take a night to think about it.
Show answer
sleep on it