mail it in
Phone it in
To mail it in is to perform with minimal effort, going through the motions without genuine engagement or care.
The phrase suggests phoning in a performance rather than showing up fully: The actor clearly mailed it in during the sequel.
Originally from sports, where a player might perform so lazily they could have stayed home and mailed their contribution.
Don't mail it in on this project—it matters.
Lacking sincerity or zeal
- perfunctoryDone with minimal effort
- phoning it inPerforming without genuine commitment
- going through the motionsPerforming without genuine effort
- autopilotAutomated vehicle guidance system
lackadaisical · cursory · haphazard · careless · negligent · slapdash · slipshod · shoddy
Of only moderate quality
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
forgettable · pedestrian · tepid · flat · lifeless · dull · stale · generic
Without feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- disengagedNot participating or invested
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
nonchalant · detached · disinterested · uncaring · bored · checked out · tuned out · uninvested
half-hearted
Lacking sincerity or zeal
- perfunctoryDone with minimal effort
- phoning it inPerforming without genuine commitment
- going through the motionsPerforming without genuine effort
autopilot · lackadaisical · cursory · haphazard · careless · negligent · slapdash · slipshod · shoddy · rushed
mediocre
Of only moderate quality
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
unremarkable · forgettable · pedestrian · tepid · flat · lifeless · dull · stale · generic · unimaginative
apathetic
Without feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- disengagedNot participating or invested
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
unenthusiastic · nonchalant · detached · disinterested · uncaring · bored · checked out · tuned out · uninvested · uninterested
- negligence expressionsdrop the ball, asleep at the wheel, let slide, slack off, caught napping
mail it ingo all out
Commit completely, withhold nothing
give 110% · leave it all on the field · go the extra mile · go above and beyond · pull out all the stops