slack off
/slæk ɒf/
Meaning
To work with less effort, energy, or enthusiasm than usual, or to become lazy and perform poorly. It is often used to describe employees or students who are wasting time instead of focusing. The tone is usually critical or disapproving.
Examples
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He was fired because he kept slacking off during work hours.
He was fired because he kept slacking off during work hours.
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Don't slack off now; we're almost finished with the project.
Don't slack off now; we're almost finished with the project.
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It's easy to slack off when the manager isn't in the office.
It's easy to slack off when the manager isn't in the office.
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She noticed her grades dropping because she started to slack off.
She noticed her grades dropping because she started to slack off.
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Workers tend to slack off on Friday afternoons.
Workers tend to slack off on Friday afternoons.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He is slacking up on his duties.
✓ He is slacking off on his duties.
The correct phrasal verb is 'slack off', not 'slack up'.
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✗ Don't slack off your work.
✓ Don't slack off at work.
We say 'slack off at work' or 'slack off on [something]'. It is not used as a direct transitive verb without a preposition in this context.
Related Expressions
Practice
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If you ___ during the semester, you'll fail the final exam.
💡 Become lazy or put in less effort.
Show answer
slack off
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The boss warned us not to ___ just because it's the holiday season.
💡 Reduce effort or waste time.
Show answer
slack off