asleep at the switch
idiomPart ofswitch
asleep at the switch — idiom
1. Not paying attention to a task or responsibility that requires your alertness.
1.idiom
Definition
Not paying attention to a task or responsibility that requires your alertness.
Example
The guard was asleep at the switch when the robbers entered the building through the back door.
Our team lost the game because the defence was asleep at the switch in the final minutes.