IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishin the arms of Morpheus
Meaning: Asleep.
Example: “Five minutes into the film, Dad was in the arms of Morpheus.”
Origin: Morpheus is the god of dreams in Ovid's Metamorphoses (8 AD); his name also gave us "morphine." The poetic phrase is found in English from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Être dans les bras de Morphée Literally: To be in Morpheus's arms
More English idioms
- talk the hind legs off a donkey To talk endlessly.
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- scream blue murder To protest very loudly.
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- a parting shot A final sharp remark made while leaving.
- grease someone's palm To bribe someone.
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