26984 words

idle

13 definitions • 18 examples
1
not working or being used:

Examples:

stand idle Half these factories now stand idle.
sit idle It's crazy to have £7,000 sitting idle in the bank.
2
An idle moment or period of time is one in which there is no work or activity:

Examples:

If you have an idle moment, call me.
3
without work:

Examples:

Almost half of the workforce are now idle.
4
without any particular purpose:

Examples:

an idle glance
This is no idle threat.
5
lazy and not willing to work:

Examples:

bone idle He's a very able student, he's just bone idle (= very lazy).
6
If an engine or machine idles, it runs slowly but does not move or do any work:

Examples:

He left the engine idling and ran into the shop.
7
not working, not active, or doing nothing:

Examples:

idle factories
The machines are standing idle because there are no spare parts.
8
Idle also means not useful or not based on fact:

Examples:

9
If an engine idles, it is operating but not doing any work:

Examples:

Let the engine idle for a minute before you put the car in gear.
10
not operating or not being used:

Examples:

stand/lie/remain idle As more factories in the city stood idle, workers started leaving.
11
used to describe assets that are not earning money or interest, or not earning enough:

Examples:

If you've got a few thousand pounds lying idle in a savings account, think about paying off part of your mortgage or credit card debts.
idle cash/capital/funds These idle funds can be invested on the money market.
12
unemployed, or not working on a job:

Examples:

More than 22,913 assembly workers remained idle because of continued shortages of imported parts.
13
to stop using your employees, factory, machines etc., for example because you do not have enough work for them to do:

Examples:

Lack of demand forced the automaker to idle two more plants on Monday.

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