Gina Johnson
The idiom sleeping with the fishes means someone has been killed or is dead. It is a euphemism with dark and ominous undertones, often associated with crime or tragedy. The phrase was popularized by the 1972 film The Godfather, where it was used by the Sicilian Mafia. However, the phrase likely originated almost 3,000 years ago in Homer's Iliad, where Achilles threatens to kill Lycaon, who will sleep with the fishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Idiom, euphemism |
| Meaning | Someone has been killed or is dead, often murdered and disposed of in water |
| Tone | Dark, ominous, sinister |
| Connotations | Crime, tragedy, violence, betrayal, retribution |
| Origin | Likely from Homer's Iliad, popularised by the 1972 film The Godfather |
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What You'll Learn
Idiomatic meaning
The idiom "sleeping with the fishes" means someone has been killed or is dead. It is often used in a dark or sinister context, implying that the person in question has met a tragic or unfortunate fate, typically through violence or foul play. The idiom carries a dark and ominous undertone, often associated with crime or tragedy. It is a euphemism that has little to do with sleep. Instead, the "sleeping" in this phrase is metaphorical, and the individual referenced is deceased and, in modern use, is generally understood to have been murdered and disposed of in water, though death by drowning was among its traditional uses.
The phrase is often associated with the 1972 film "The Godfather", where it was used euphemistically by the Sicilian Mafia. However, the phrase likely originated almost 3,000 years before the book on which the film was based. The first appearance of a phrase similar in construction and meaning is in ""The Iliad" by Homer: "Achilles grabbed a foot, slung him [Lycaon, son of Priam] and killed him, and now he sleeps with the fishes". The earliest known exact phrase is from 1833.
- Crime and retribution: "In the world of organized crime, betrayal often leads to individuals sleeping with the fishes."
- Fatal consequences: "The spy, exposed and compromised, faced the fatal consequence of sleeping with the fishes."
- Tragic endings: "The protagonist’s ill-fated choices eventually led to him sleeping with the fishes in the final act of the movie."
- Mysterious disappearances: "Whispers in the criminal underworld suggested that those who crossed the mysterious figure often met their end by sleeping with the fishes."
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Origin
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is commonly associated with the 1972 film The Godfather, in which the line "Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes" is used as a euphemism by the Sicilian Mafia to refer to someone who is dead, with their corpse disposed of in a body of water. However, the origin of the phrase likely predates the film by almost 3,000 years.
The phrase first appeared in written form in Homer's Iliad, where Achilles threatens Lycaon, son of Priam, who will "sleep with the fishes". This act symbolizes the brutality of leaving the body forever unburied, similar to that of an animal's. The earliest known usage of the exact phrase dates back to 1833, and it was also found in an 1891 slang dictionary, where "feed the fishes" was used figuratively to mean "to be drowned."
The phrase was also used in a 1905 issue of The Search-Light magazine, which described a Russian fleet's attempt to capture a pirate ship: "After her at full speed hurried the torpedo boat 'Smetilvy,' manned by a crew of officers and faithful blue jackets, and pledged to send the rebels to sleep with the fishes."
While the phrase gained widespread recognition through The Godfather, its evolution is convoluted, with sources tracing it back to Homer's Iliad and even the story of the Trojan War.
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Usage in The Godfather
The phrase "sleeping with the fishes" is a well-known idiom that became popular after being used in the 1972 movie The Godfather. In the movie, the phrase is used euphemistically by the Sicilian Mafia to refer to someone who is dead and whose corpse has been disposed of in a body of water.
In The Godfather, Don Vito Corleone sends his trusted enforcer, Luca Brasi, on a mission to infiltrate the Tattaglia family and gather information on Virgil Sollozzo after he turns down Sollozzo's offer. Brasi gains the attention of Bruno Tattaglia, son of the Tattaglia boss, by expressing his unhappiness with the Corleone family. During a meeting between Brasi, Sollozzo, and Tattaglia, Brasi is violently strangled to death by a hitman.
Following Brasi's death, an enemy family leaves two dead fish wrapped in his bulletproof vest inside some brown paper at the Godfather's compound. Tessio delivers the package to Sonny Corleone and explains, "It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes." This scene is one of the most famous in The Godfather and the line is one of the most quoted in movie history.
While the phrase became widely known after The Godfather, it is believed to have originated almost 3,000 years prior to the book on which the film was based. The first appearance of a similar phrase is in Homer's Iliad, where Achilles threatens to kill Lycaon, who will "sleep with the fishes." The phrase emphasizes the brutality of this method as the body remains unburied, similar to that of an animal.
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Other sleep idioms
"Sleeping with the fishes" is a well-known idiom that originates from Mafia slang and is often associated with the idea of death or a threat of death. It is believed to have come from the idea that dead bodies disposed of in water would end up sleeping with the fishes at the bottom of the ocean or lake. This phrase gained popularity in mainstream culture through its use in movies and television shows, particularly those depicting Mafia or criminal underworld activities.
Now, here are some other idioms related to sleep that you can use:
"Sleep tight": This phrase is commonly used to wish someone a good night's sleep. It originates from the old practice of securing the ropes or strings on which mattresses were suspended, to ensure a comfortable and undisturbed sleep.
"Sleep like a baby": This idiom describes a peaceful and restful sleep, similar to the deep sleep of a content and happy infant. It implies that the sleeper is completely relaxed and free of worries or stress.
"Sleep on it": When someone is faced with a difficult decision or problem, they may be advised to "sleep on it." This phrase suggests that a good night's sleep can help bring clarity and a fresh perspective to a challenging situation. It also acknowledges that our thoughts and emotions can influence each other, and a rested mind may make better judgments.
"Sleep like a log": This phrase describes a deep and uninterrupted sleep. It implies that the sleeper is completely oblivious to their surroundings and is unlikely to be disturbed by any noise or activity around them.
"Rock-a-bye baby": While commonly used as a lullaby, this phrase can also be considered an idiom. It originates from a nursery rhyme and describes the gentle rocking motion of a baby in a cradle, lulling them to sleep.
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Conveying a person's demise
The idiom "sleeping with the fishes" is a figurative expression that carries a dark and ominous tone, often associated with crime or tragedy. It is a euphemism that conveys a person's demise, indicating that the individual referenced is deceased and, in modern usage, was likely murdered and disposed of in a body of water. This phrase rose to popularity in the 1972 film "The Godfather," where it was used by the Sicilian Mafia. However, its origins can be traced back to Homer's "Iliad," where Achilles threatens Lycaon, son of Priam, who will "sleep with the fishes."
The phrase implies a brutal method of disposal, as the body is left unburied and treated like that of an animal. It is often used to convey a person's demise in contexts of crime and retribution, fatal consequences, tragic endings, and mysterious disappearances. For example, "Betrayal in the world of organized crime often leads to individuals sleeping with the fishes."
The idiom can also be used to imply a tragic or unfortunate fate, typically resulting from violence or foul play. For instance, "The exposed and compromised spy faced the fatal consequence of sleeping with the fishes." The phrase adds a layer of intrigue and sinister undertones to the referenced individual's demise.
While the exact phrase first appeared in the 19th century, its construction and meaning are recognizable in Homer's "Iliad," and it is likely to have originated even earlier, around the time of the Trojan War. The popularization of the phrase in "The Godfather" cemented its association with the Sicilian Mafia and their ominous methods of dealing with betrayal and retribution.
In summary, "sleeping with the fishes" is an idiom that conveys a person's demise, often in a sinister or tragic context, implying that the individual has met an unfortunate fate, typically through violent means, and their body has been disposed of in a body of water.
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Frequently asked questions
The idiom 'sleeping with the fishes' means someone has been killed or is dead. It is often used in a dark or sinister context, implying that the person in question has met a tragic or unfortunate fate, typically through an act of violence or foul play.
The phrase 'sleeping with the fishes' was popularised by the 1972 film 'The Godfather', in which it is used as a euphemism by the Sicilian Mafia. However, the phrase likely originated almost 3,000 years before the film's release. The earliest known use of the phrase is in Homer's 'Iliad', in which Achilles threatens (and kills) Lycaon (son of Priam), who will 'sleep with the fishes'.
Here is an example of how the phrase can be used in a sentence: "In the world of organised crime, betrayal often leads to individuals sleeping with the fishes."
