broken machines
Out of order
Broken machines are devices that no longer function as intended—whether completely inoperative or working poorly.
The phrase covers everything from a jammed copier to a dead car engine.
Half the broken machines in this office have been "temporarily out of order" for months.
Unlike a single broken machine, the plural often suggests systemic neglect or widespread failure: The gym was full of broken machines nobody bothered to fix.
- malfunctioningOperating incorrectly or failing
- on the fritzMalfunctioning, out of order
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- glitchingShowing intermittent digital faults
- out of orderNot functioning properly
sparking · jammed · stalled · grinding halt · rusted · rust bucket · beyond repair · worn · defective · kaput · busted · dead · smoking · grinding · seized · clunking · obsolete · scrap
- voter suppressionvoter suppression, voter intimidation, disenfranchisement, poll tax, poll taxes