put something to sleep

put (something) to sleep

1. To kill an animal via euthanasia so as not to cause pain. The poor dog was so old that the only thing I could do was put it to sleep. It couldn't even walk anymore.2. To put an electronic device, such as a computer or phone, into standby while not in use. Be sure to put the computer to sleep when you're finished so you don't waste electricity.See also: put, sleep

put something to sleep

1 kill (an animal, especially an old, sick, or badly injured one) painlessly. euphemistic 2 put (a computer) on standby while it is not being used.See also: put, sleep, something

put somebody/something to ˈsleep


1 give somebody drugs (= an anaesthetic) before an operation to make them unconscious: Before the operation we’ll put you to sleep, so don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.
2 kill a sick or injured animal by giving it drugs so that it dies without pain: She took her old dog to the vet and he put it to sleep.See also: put, sleep, somebody, something