Looking for synonyms for do nothing? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say do nothing.
- Idle
- Inactive
- Remain Inert
- Sit Tight
- Twiddle Thumbs
- Laze
- Loaf
- Dally
- Lounge
- Procrastinate
- Veg Out
- Loll
- Take It Easy
- Rest on One’s Laurels
- Drift
- Dawdle
- Slack
- Bum Around
- Kill Time
- Hang Around
- Stall
- Goldbrick
- Goof Off
- Skive
- Shirk
Want to learn how to say do nothing professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Idle
Idle is used in professional contexts to describe a lack of activity, especially when someone is expected to be productive.
Example: “Despite the looming deadline, the team remained idle, not making any noticeable progress on the project.”
2. Inactive
Inactive implies a state of not engaging in normal or expected activities, often in a professional or organizational setting.
Example: “The committee has been inactive for several months, failing to address the key issues it was formed to tackle.”
3. Remain Inert
To remain inert is to stay inactive or unmoving, especially in situations that call for action or change.
Example: “The management team chose to remain inert in the face of declining sales, not implementing any new strategies.”
4. Sit Tight
Sit tight is often used to suggest staying in place and not taking action, usually in anticipation of further instructions or developments.
Example: “During the market fluctuation, the investors were advised to sit tight and not make any hasty decisions.”
5. Twiddle Thumbs
Twiddling thumbs is a colloquial expression used to indicate being idle or doing nothing, especially when there is an opportunity to be productive.
Example: “He spent the afternoon twiddling his thumbs instead of finalizing the report.”
6. Laze
Laze is used informally to describe a state of inactivity or relaxation, especially when one should be working.
Example: “The team lazed around the office on Friday, accomplishing very little.”
7. Loaf
Loafing refers to idling or spending time aimlessly, particularly in a work environment.
Example: “Instead of working on the urgent task, he was loafing in the break room.”
8. Dally
To dally means to act or move slowly, often resulting in wasted time, especially in a professional setting.
Example: “She dallied over her lunch break, causing the meeting to start late.”
9. Lounge
Lounging typically refers to resting or taking it easy instead of being actively engaged in work.
Example: “He was found lounging in his office, seemingly oblivious to the workload.”
10. Procrastinate
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, often leading to reduced productivity.
Example: “The team procrastinated on the project, leading to a last-minute rush.”
11. Veg Out
Veg out is an informal term used to describe engaging in idle or unproductive behavior, typically in a relaxed manner.
Example: “After the conference, he chose to veg out in his hotel room instead of networking.”
12. Loll
To loll refers to spending time lazily or idly, often in a relaxed posture.
Example: “He lolled at his desk, showing no urgency despite the pending deadlines.”
13. Take It Easy
Taking it easy is often used to suggest a relaxed or leisurely approach, sometimes at the expense of productivity.
Example: “The project manager told his team to take it easy, despite the project falling behind schedule.”
14. Rest on One’s Laurels
Resting on one’s laurels implies relying on past achievements and not actively pursuing current responsibilities or opportunities.
Example: “The veteran salesperson rested on his laurels, neglecting to adapt to new sales strategies.”
15. Drift
Drifting implies a lack of direction or purpose, often leading to unproductivity.
Example: “He drifted through the workday, accomplishing little of substance.”
16. Dawdle
To dawdle is to waste time or be slow in action, often leading to delays in professional environments.
Example: “She dawdled over the details of the report, causing it to be submitted late.”
17. Slack
Slacking refers to exhibiting a lack of effort or diligence in one’s duties.
Example: “He was slacking on his responsibilities, causing a backlog of work for the team.”
18. Bum Around
Bumming around is an informal term for aimlessly wasting time, often when there is work to be done.
Example: “Instead of addressing client concerns, he was bumming around the office.”
19. Kill Time
Killing time refers to engaging in activities that pass the time but are not productive or meaningful.
Example: “To kill time before the meeting, he browsed the internet rather than preparing his presentation.”
20. Hang Around
Hanging around usually means to spend time idly or without any specific purpose, often in a work setting.
Example: “Several employees were just hanging around the water cooler, ignoring their tasks.”
21. Stall
Stalling involves deliberately delaying or procrastinating, especially to avoid action or decision-making.
Example: “The manager stalled on making the crucial decision, causing frustration in the team.”
22. Goldbrick
Goldbricking is a term used to describe the act of avoiding work or responsibilities, often while pretending to be busy.
Example: “He was accused of goldbricking when he was found playing games on his computer during work hours.”
23. Goof Off
Goofing off is an informal way of saying engaging in frivolous or non-work-related activities during work time.
Example: “The interns were caught goofing off instead of completing their assigned tasks.”
24. Skive
Skiving is a British term for avoiding work or duties, often by pretending to be sick or occupied.
Example: “He’s known to skive off meetings by claiming urgent personal matters.”
25. Shirk
To shirk is to avoid or neglect one’s duties or responsibilities.
Example: “She shirked her duties as a team leader, resulting in poor team performance.”
