down tools
Cease all labor
Down tools means to stop working, especially as a form of protest or strike action.
The phrase evokes workers literally setting down their implements: The factory workers downed tools when management rejected their demands.
It also applies to ending work for the day: At five o'clock, we down tools and head home.
Primarily British.
- workEffort toward a goal
- shop floorIndustrial production workspace
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- wildcat strikeUnauthorized work stoppage
- general strikeCross-industry work refusal
picket line · picketing · walkout · trade union · labor dispute · pause · stop · halt · industrial action · cease · boycott · tea break · idle · grievance · close up shop · solidarity · protest · collective bargaining
down toolsget to work
press on · soldier on · keep at it · plug away · knuckle down
down toolsscab
Dried blood crust
return to work · comply · toe the line · settle · work to rule
down, tool, tools, downer, downs, downed, downing, tooled, tooling