Meaning of sleeper hit | Babel Free

Definitions

A work of entertainment that becomes successful only some time after its launch.

Examples

“It could be argued that there is no such thing as a 'sleeper' hit. It is industry terminology for a film which becomes a big success, despite having seemingly little promotion, and which plays successfully for a long time period, without having a record-breaking opening, or a run at the top of the box office chart.”

“The record would be a minor hit in the U.S. (#49) but would, in time, become one of the most familiar songs of the decade. A 'sleeper' hit. It would not touch the UK charts at all.”

CEFR level