sleeping awake

The act in which someone, often at a work station, is so finely on the cusp of sleep yet in a mental state of readiness.

Guy no. 1: What can you see on that monitor?

Guy no.2: What? ...Oh yep, that's not good, let's go sort that out.

Guy no.1: Dude were you just sleeping?

Guy no.2: Nope I was sleeping awake, it's different.

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