slack
Not pulled taut
Slack describes something loose, not tight or taut: a slack rope, slack muscles.
Extended uses involve reduced tension or effort: business is slack during summer, someone is slack about their duties.
To slack or slack off is to work less hard than expected: He's been slacking off lately.
Slack is also the loose part of a rope, or unused capacity in a system.
To cut someone slack is to allow them leeway or forgiveness.
To pick up the slack is to compensate for someone else's shortfall. (Capitalized Slack is the workplace messaging platform.)
Thick twisted fibers
Calm and unhurried
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
- relaxedFree of stress
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
- informalRelaxed, not official
nonchalant · carefree · loose · breezy · leisurely · unfussy · unpretentious · effortless
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
- laxInsufficiently firm or rigorous
- sloppyCareless and untidy
- remissNeglectful of duty
- derelictAbandoned or neglectful
inattentive · neglectful · irresponsible · heedless · slapdash · lackadaisical · half-hearted · perfunctory
Temporary period of quiet
- downtimePeriod of non-operation
- slowLacking in speed
- quietLacking in sound
- off-peakOutside busiest hours
dead · idle · pause · hiatus · doldrums · standstill · stagnant · dormant
Loiter without purpose
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- arenaVenue for contests
- cowboyMounted cattle herder
- calfJuvenile cow or leg part
steer · lasso · loop · horn · saddle · chute · heeler · header
rope
Thick twisted fibers
taut · give · sag · play · tighten · loosen · pull · cinch · hoist · rigging
laid-back
Calm and unhurried
informal · nonchalant · carefree · loose · breezy · leisurely · unfussy · unpretentious · effortless · undemanding
careless
Inattentive, prone to mistakes
derelict · inattentive · neglectful · irresponsible · heedless · slapdash · lackadaisical · half-hearted · perfunctory · slipshod
lull
Temporary period of quiet
off-peak · dead · idle · pause · hiatus · doldrums · standstill · stagnant · dormant · sluggish
dally
Loiter without purpose
calf · steer · lasso · loop · horn · saddle · chute · heeler · header · roping
water
Clear essential liquid
line
Continuous mark or queue
nautical · belay · halyard · sheet · mooring · splice · knot
slackdiligent
Persistently attentive to tasks
conscientious · industrious · hardworking · assiduous · meticulous
- slack offReduce one's effort
- slacking offNeglecting responsibilities deliberately
- slacked offReduced one's effort
- pick up the slackCover for underperformance
- picking up the slackAssuming others' unfinished duties
- cut someone some slackRelax your expectations temporarily
slacken, slacker, slacks, slack off, slacking, slackening, slacked, slackly, slackened