Search
to sleep with the fishes
01
to be killed or dead, typically conveying the body has been disposed of by being thrown into water
What is the origin of the idiom "sleep with the fishes" and when to use it?
The idiom "sleeping with the fishes" has roots in mafia and gangster culture, particularly in the United States. It's often associated with organized crime and the practice of disposing of someone's body by dumping it into a body of water, typically to hide evidence of a murder. The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it became popularized through its use in movies, television, and literature depicting underworld activities.
Example
The detective found a note in the victim's pocket, cryptically stating, "He who crosses the boss ends up sleeping with the fishes."
The boss made it clear, anyone who double-crosses him ends up sleeping with the fishes.
Better keep your mouth shut, or you might find yourself sleeping with the fishes before you know it.
In mobster movies, characters often warn their enemies that they'll end up sleeping with the fishes if they don't comply.
Tell your crew to watch their backs, or they'll be sleeping with the fishes next.
