slack off
Stop trying hard
To slack off is to reduce effort or become lazy, especially when you should be working: He's been slacking off ever since he got the promotion.
The phrase suggests a deliberate easing up rather than inability—someone who slacks off could do more but chooses not to.
Often used as an accusation or self-criticism.
Delay action unnecessarily
- loafBaked bread shape
- shirkEvade one's obligations
- goldbrickShirk while appearing busy
- idleWithout activity or purpose
dawdle · laze · skive · malinger · coast · drift · veg out · phone it in
Release accumulated tension
- decompressRelease stored pressure
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
- take a breakCease activity temporarily
- relaxBecome less tense
rest · chill · downtime · breather · let up · pause · cool down · step back
procrastinate
Delay action unnecessarily
idle · dawdle · laze · skive · malinger · coast · drift · veg out · phone it in · bum around
unwind
Release accumulated tension
- decompressRelease stored pressure
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
- take a breakCease activity temporarily
relax · rest · chill · downtime · breather · let up · pause · cool down · step back · take it easy
underperform
Fail to meet standards
dip · taper · deteriorate · backslide · regress · slip · coast · plateau · stagnate · lose steam
shirk
Evade one's obligations
overlook · drop the ball · let slide · abandon · default · derelict · remiss · irresponsible · careless · inattentive
- labor idiomsnose to the grindstone, burning the midnight oil, pull your weight, crunch time, work like a dog
- work idiomsburning out, rat race, climb the ladder, glass ceiling, golden handshake
- diminishingabate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, ebb
- idlingidle, idled, loaf, loafed, laze
- lazinesslaziness, sloth, idleness, apathy, lethargy
- negligence expressionsdrop the ball, asleep at the wheel, let slide, caught napping, neglect
slack offbuckle down
Apply oneself determinedly
work hard · apply oneself · knuckle down · get down to business · pull one's weight
slack offfocus
Concentrated attention point
concentrate · keep at it · persevere · buckle down · get serious
slack offramp up
Increase intensity or pace
double down · pick up the pace · work overtime · intensify · accelerate
off, slack, slacken, slacker, slacks, slacking, slacked, slackly, slackness