Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 46, 2026
Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 46, 2026 View this lesson in your browser WEEK 46 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION Be sleeping at the wheel idiomatic expression | /biː ˈsliːpɪŋ ət ðə wiːl/ MEANING Be sleeping at the wheel means to fail to pay attention to something you are responsible for, allowing problems to develop or opportunities to pass. En français : Manquer de vigilance ; ne pas être à la hauteur de ses responsabilités ; laisser passer les problèmes sans réagir. How is it used? The image is of a driver who is not watching the road. Figuratively, it criticises someone who should be alert and taking action. Be asleep at the wheel is the standard dictionary form; be sleeping at the wheel is also used. The expression can sound accusatory, so use it carefully at work. Useful pattern: [Person or organisation] + is/was/has been + sleeping at the wheel. Example...