Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mythical character who brings sleep: The Sandman is a traditional folkloric figure, often depicted as a man, elf, or spirit, who sprinkles magical sand or dust into the eyes of children to make them fall asleep.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • My mother told me that if I didn't go to bed, the Sandman wouldn't come.
  • In the story, the Sandman carries a bag of sleepy dust.

Advanced Usage

• "The Sandman is coming": A phrase used, especially with children, to indicate that it is time for sleep or that one is feeling sleepy.
  • Your eyes are getting heavy; it looks like the Sandman is coming.

Variants and Related Words

• Sandman's dust/sand (noun phrase): The magical substance said to be sprinkled by the Sandman.
  • The child dreamed of catching the Sandman's dust.

Synonyms

• Sleep-bringer: A descriptive term for a mythical agent of sleep.
• Morpheus: In classical mythology, the god of dreams, sometimes conflated with the Sandman in modern usage.

Related Idioms

• "To have sand in one's eyes": To be very sleepy.
  • I can't focus on my book; I must have sand in my eyes.

Noun

1. an elf in fairy stories who sprinkles sand in children's eyes to make them sleepy