# big sleep

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/big-sleep
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Death.

## Examples

- The old dog finally went to the big sleep.
- The detective looked at the crime scene and realized the victim had taken the big sleep.
- After a long and weary life, the philosopher finally succumbed to the big sleep, leaving behind a legacy of profound thought.

## Origin

Apparently coined by novelist Raymond Chandler, author of The Big Sleep (1939). (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.