Put somebody to sleep
phrase
To help someone become unconscious or fall asleep (often by using drugs or anaesthetics).
The dentist will put you to sleep before he removes your wisdom teeth.
Often appears as...
- babies being put to sleep
- doctors put patients to sleep
phrase
To euthanize or cause the death of a pet or other animal, often to end suffering or illness.
Our dog was suffering so much that we had to make the hard decision to put him to sleep.
Often appears as...
- vets put animals to sleep
- put suffering pets to sleep
Usage tips
Negative
phrase
To cause (a baby or young child) to fall asleep by rocking, reading or singing.
It's your turn to put the baby to sleep tonight.
Often appears as...
- put baby to sleep
- parents put children to sleep
phrase
To help someone become unconscious or fall asleep (often by using drugs or anaesthetics).
The dentist will put you to sleep before he removes your wisdom teeth.
Often appears as...
- babies being put to sleep
- doctors put patients to sleep
phrase
To euthanize or cause the death of a pet or other animal, often to end suffering or illness.
Our dog was suffering so much that we had to make the hard decision to put him to sleep.
Often appears as...
- vets put animals to sleep
- put suffering pets to sleep
Usage tips
Negative
phrase
To cause (a baby or young child) to fall asleep by rocking, reading or singing.
It's your turn to put the baby to sleep tonight.
Often appears as...
- put baby to sleep
- parents put children to sleep
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Medical Procedure
Used when a person is made unconscious for surgery.
Before the operation, the anesthesiologist will put you to sleep.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Not about regular sleep, related to medical-induced unconsciousness.
Having my leg injury, the doctor had to put me to sleep to fix it.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
It implies a reversible state unlike natural sleep which ends naturally.
Once the surgery was done, they waited for me to wake up after being put to sleep.
Pro Tip 1/3Medical Procedure
Used when a person is made unconscious for surgery.
Before the operation, the anesthesiologist will put you to sleep.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Not about regular sleep, related to medical-induced unconsciousness.
Having my leg injury, the doctor had to put me to sleep to fix it.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
It implies a reversible state unlike natural sleep which ends naturally.
Once the surgery was done, they waited for me to wake up after being put to sleep.
Pro Tip 1/3Medical Procedure
Used when a person is made unconscious for surgery.
Before the operation, the anesthesiologist will put you to sleep.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Not about regular sleep, related to medical-induced unconsciousness.
Having my leg injury, the doctor had to put me to sleep to fix it.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary State
It implies a reversible state unlike natural sleep which ends naturally.
Once the surgery was done, they waited for me to wake up after being put to sleep.
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