🇮🇹Italian Source WordCode: IT

distratto

Pronunciation / Transliteration: distratto

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Asleep-at-the-wheel/əˈsliːp ət ðə ˌwiːl/
adjectiveidiomCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
Full Thesaurus
🇮🇹 Example Sentence in Italian:

"L'amministrazione è stata distretta riguardo alla sicurezza."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Failing to remain alert, attentive, or responsive to potential dangers, duties, or responsibilities.

    "The regulatory agency was caught asleep-at-the-wheel while financial fraud went unchecked for years."
  2. 2

    Characterized by gross negligence, carelessness, or a lack of proactive oversight.

    "Management was asleep-at-the-wheel when competitors introduced superior technology."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Originating in the 20th century, this idiom draws a vivid metaphor from automobile driving, where falling asleep at the steering wheel results in a dangerous loss of control. Over time, the phrase extended beyond literal motoring to describe individuals, organizations, or authorities failing to maintain vigilance or fulfill their responsibilities.

Quick Vocabulary Retention Check

Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Asleep-at-the-wheel"?

Thesaurus & Synonyms Graph

Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Asleep-at-the-wheel"

Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.

View "Asleep-at-the-wheel" Synonym Map