dormir dessus
To sleep on a decision in French is to say dormir dessus.
The phrase dormir dessus is used when you want to postpone making a decision by at least one night to allow yourself more time to consider it.
Meaning: to postpone a decision at least overnight (verb)
Did you know?
- While English speakers 'sleep on' a problem, if a French person says they will dormir dessus, they might literally mean they are going to sleep on top of an object, such as a pile of papers.
- The French word dormir is a distant relative of the English word 'dormitory'. Both trace their roots back to the Latin word dormīre, meaning 'to sleep'.
- French has a specific word sommeil for the state of being sleepy, which is distinct from the action of the verb dormir used in this phrase.
Examples in context
- Votre proposition est intéressante, je vais retourner la questionYour proposal is interesting, I will sleep on it
- Je vais y réfléchirI am going to think about it
- Je vais dormir dessus avant de décider.I am going to sleep on it before deciding.
- Laisse-moi dormir dessus et je te réponds demain.Let me sleep on it and I will answer you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing a job offer.
- LéaC'est une offre fantastique, non ?It's a fantastic offer, isn't it?
- LucasOui, mais je préfère dormir dessus.Yes, but I prefer to sleep on it.
- LéaTu me donneras ta réponse demain ?Will you give me your answer tomorrow?
- LucasOui, je te dirai ça demain matin.Yes, I will tell you tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dessus, dormir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
