do nothing
Refuse to act
Do nothing describes a person or entity that is idle, unproductive, or fails to take action when action is needed: a do-nothing Congress, her do-nothing husband.
As a noun, a do-nothing is such a person: The committee is full of do-nothings.
The phrase carries criticism—not peaceful rest, but culpable inaction.
- bum aroundPass time idly
- couch potatoHabitual sedentary TV watcher
- loaferLaceless slip-on shoe
- sit backRelax without participating
- idleWithout activity or purpose
twiddle thumbs · inert · procrastinate · inactive · passive · indolence · veg out · laziness · sloth · torpor · watch paint dry · stagnation · laissez-faire · passive resistance · rest · slack · coast · dawdle
do nothingtake action
Begin doing something
act · do something · work · get busy · spring into action
do nothingintervene
Come between opposing sides
step in · respond · get involved · react · take charge
do nothingtake initiative
Act without direction
make an effort · try · strive · work hard · apply oneself