寝ね息いきをうかがう

expression, godan verb (-u)

check if someone is asleep; listen for sleeping breath

Used when you quietly listen or observe to confirm that a person is truly asleep, often before doing something you don't want them to notice.

• 親おやが寝ね息いきをうかがってから、こっそり家いえを抜ぬけ出だした。

  After making sure my parents were asleep, I sneaked out of the house.

• 赤あかちゃんの寝ね息いきをうかがって、そっと布ふ団とんをかけた。

  I listened to the baby's breathing to make sure she was asleep, then gently covered her with a blanket.

expression, godan verb (-u)

do something bad while someone sleeps

Refers to taking advantage of a person's sleep to commit a misdeed, such as stealing or sneaking around. Often used in narrative or cautionary contexts.

• 泥どろ棒ぼうは住じゅう人にんの寝ね息いきをうかがって金きん品ぴんを盗ぬすんだ。

  The burglar made sure the resident was asleep and then stole valuables.