Top 37 Slang For Not-Working – Meaning & Usage

We all have those days when we just don’t feel like working, but expressing that sentiment can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got your back! Our team has scoured the depths of the internet to bring you a compilation of the top slang terms for not-working. From hilarious phrases to clever acronyms, this listicle is sure to have you laughing and nodding in agreement. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some new ways to describe those moments of blissful non-productivity.

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Resting actor

This term refers to an actor who is currently not working or between acting gigs. It implies that the actor is taking a break or waiting for their next role.

For example, “He’s not in any current productions, he’s just a resting actor at the moment.”
In a conversation about the entertainment industry, someone might say, “Being a resting actor can be tough, waiting for the next opportunity.”
A friend might ask, “Are you still auditioning, or are you a resting actor right now?”

2. Mutt

This slang term is used to refer to someone who doesn’t have a job or is not currently working. It can be used in a playful or derogatory manner.

For instance, “He’s been a mutt since he got laid off.”
In a discussion about job hunting, someone might say, “I don’t want to be a mutt for much longer, I need to find work.”
A friend might joke, “Join the club, we’re all mutts here.”

3. Freelance

While not exclusively slang for not working, the term “freelance” can be used to describe someone who is not employed by a specific company or organization. They work on a project-by-project basis and are not tied to a regular job.

For example, “She’s a freelance graphic designer, so she’s technically not working for a company.”
In a conversation about career choices, someone might say, “I’m considering going freelance so I have more flexibility with my schedule.”
A friend might ask, “How’s the freelance life treating you? Are you busy with projects?”

4. Yunnie

This slang term is derived from the word “yunnies,” which is a British slang for pounds or money. It is used to refer to someone who is not currently working or is unemployed.

For instance, “He’s been a yunnie since he got laid off.”
In a discussion about job market, someone might say, “There are too many yunnies looking for work and not enough job openings.”
A friend might ask, “Are you still a yunnie or have you found a job yet?”

5. Lady of leisure

This term is used to describe a woman who is not working or is not employed. It implies that she has a lot of free time and does not have to worry about work responsibilities.

For example, “She’s been a lady of leisure ever since she retired.”
In a conversation about work-life balance, someone might say, “I wish I could be a lady of leisure and not have to worry about work.”
A friend might joke, “You’re living the life of a lady of leisure, while the rest of us are stuck in the 9-to-5 grind.”

6. Machine may

This phrase is used to describe someone who is not working or being productive. It implies that the person is avoiding work and being lazy.

For example, “He’s always on his phone, machine may all day.”
A coworker might say, “Don’t expect any help from him, he’s in full machine may mode.”
Someone might complain, “I can’t stand working with people who machine may all the time.”

7. No collar

This term refers to someone who doesn’t have a job or is not currently working. It implies that the person doesn’t have the responsibility of wearing a collar, which is often associated with formal work attire.

For instance, “He’s been no collar for months now.”
A friend might ask, “Are you still no collar or have you found a job?”
Someone might say, “I’m tired of being no collar, I need to find work soon.”

8. Twilight

This word is used to describe a state of not working or being inactive. It suggests that the person is not engaged in any productive activity.

For example, “He spends his days in twilight, doing nothing.”
A coworker might say, “I caught him in twilight mode again, not doing any work.”
Someone might complain, “I hate being in twilight, I need to stay busy.”

9. Madao

This term is derived from a Japanese slang word “madao” which stands for “totally useless adult”. It refers to someone who is not working or is unemployed.

For instance, “He’s been a madao ever since he got laid off.”
A friend might ask, “How’s life as a madao treating you?”
Someone might say, “I can’t believe I’m a madao at this age, I need to find a job.”

10. Pretend-to-work truck

This phrase is used to describe someone who appears to be working but is actually not doing anything productive. It implies that the person is pretending to work while being lazy.

For example, “He’s always on his computer, but it’s just a pretend-to-work truck.”
A coworker might say, “Don’t be fooled by his busy appearance, he’s a total pretend-to-work truck.”
Someone might complain, “I can’t stand working with people who are just pretend-to-work trucks.”

11. Pansa de rata

This slang term is used to describe someone who is lazy or not working. It implies that the person is idle and not contributing to society.

For example, “He’s been living off his parents for years, he’s a real pansa de rata.”
In a conversation about productivity, someone might say, “I can’t stand people who have a pansa de rata.”
Another person might comment, “I wish I could take a break and have a pansa de rata, but I have bills to pay.”

12. Olde English

This slang term refers to someone who is not working or being productive. It can also imply laziness or a lack of motivation.

For instance, “He’s been drinking Olde English all day, he’s definitely olde englishing.”
In a discussion about work ethic, someone might say, “I can’t stand people who are always olde englishing.”
Another person might comment, “I wish I could just olde english all day, but I have responsibilities.”

13. Layabout

This term is used to describe someone who is lazy and not willing to work or make an effort. It implies that the person spends their time doing nothing productive.

For example, “He’s always lounging around, he’s such a layabout.”
In a conversation about ambition, someone might say, “I can’t stand layabouts who expect everything to be handed to them.”
Another person might comment, “I wish I could be a layabout and not worry about responsibilities.”

14. Lifetime

This slang term refers to someone who is not working or has no intention of working for the rest of their life. It implies a carefree and leisurely lifestyle.

For instance, “He won the lottery and is now living a lifetime.”
In a discussion about retirement, someone might say, “I dream of a lifetime where I can travel and relax.”
Another person might comment, “I envy those who can live a lifetime without worrying about money.”

15. Unemployment beard

This slang term refers to the beard that a person grows when they are unemployed. It symbolizes the lack of motivation or effort to find a job.

For example, “He’s been sporting an unemployment beard for months.”
In a conversation about job hunting, someone might say, “I need to shave my unemployment beard before the interviews.”
Another person might comment, “I can’t wait to grow an unemployment beard during my vacation.”

16. Divvy

This term is used to describe someone who is not working or being productive. It implies that the person is simply wasting time or idling away.

For example, “He’s just divvying around all day instead of getting his work done.”
A friend might ask, “Why are you divvying when you have so much to do?”
In a workplace setting, a supervisor might say, “Stop divvying and start focusing on your tasks.”

17. Gold digger

This slang term refers to someone who intentionally avoids doing any work. It implies that the person is only interested in enjoying the benefits or rewards without putting in any effort.

For instance, “She’s always looking for ways to gold dig and get out of doing her share of the work.”
A colleague might complain, “He’s such a gold digger, always finding excuses to avoid his responsibilities.”
In a group project, someone might say, “We can’t let the gold diggers bring down the team’s productivity.”

18. Slacking off

This phrase is used to describe someone who is not working as hard or as efficiently as they should be. It suggests a lack of motivation or effort in completing tasks or responsibilities.

For example, “I caught him slacking off again, browsing social media instead of working.”
A supervisor might warn, “Stop slacking off or there will be consequences.”
A friend might comment, “I can’t afford to slack off right now, I have too much on my plate.”

19. Chilling

This term refers to someone who is taking it easy or relaxing instead of doing work. It implies a casual and carefree attitude towards responsibilities.

For instance, “He’s just chilling while the rest of us are working hard.”
A coworker might say, “I wish I could just chill instead of dealing with all these deadlines.”
In a conversation about productivity, someone might mention, “Sometimes it’s important to take a break and chill, but not all the time.”

20. Lazying around

This phrase is used to describe someone who is not actively engaged in any work or productive activities. It suggests a lack of motivation or energy to do anything.

For example, “He’s been lazing around all day, not doing anything productive.”
A parent might scold their child, “Stop lazying around and do your chores.”
A friend might ask, “Why are you always lazing around instead of pursuing your goals?”

21. Shirking

Shirking refers to avoiding or neglecting work or responsibilities. It implies a deliberate act of evading tasks or duties.

For example, “He’s always shirking his responsibilities and leaving them for others to handle.”
A coworker might complain, “I can’t stand it when people shirk their duties and leave the rest of us to pick up the slack.”
In a discussion about work ethic, someone might comment, “Shirking is not only unprofessional but also detrimental to the team’s productivity.”

22. Taking a breather

Taking a breather means taking a short break or pause from work or a task to relax or refresh oneself.

For instance, “I’ve been working for hours straight. I need to take a breather.”
A colleague might suggest, “Let’s take a breather and grab a cup of coffee before we continue.”
During a busy day, someone might say, “I’m going to take a quick breather to clear my mind before tackling the next project.”

23. Taking it easy

Taking it easy means relaxing or not exerting much effort. It suggests a laid-back approach or a desire to avoid stress or strain.

For example, “I’m just taking it easy this weekend and enjoying some downtime.”
A friend might ask, “How’s work going?” and receive the response, “I’m taking it easy these days, not pushing myself too hard.”
In a conversation about work-life balance, someone might comment, “Taking it easy is important to prevent burnout and maintain overall well-being.”

24. Slowing down

Slowing down refers to reducing one’s pace or speed, often in the context of work or productivity. It suggests taking things at a more relaxed or leisurely pace.

For instance, “I’ve been working non-stop. I need to slow down and take a break.”
A coworker might advise, “You’re doing great, but remember to slow down and pace yourself.”
In a discussion about work efficiency, someone might suggest, “Slowing down can actually improve productivity by allowing you to focus on quality over quantity.”

25. Wasting time

Wasting time refers to spending time unproductively or engaging in activities that do not contribute to one’s work or responsibilities.

For example, “Stop wasting time on social media and get back to work.”
A manager might reprimand an employee, “We can’t afford to waste time on unnecessary tasks.”
In a conversation about time management, someone might say, “Wasting time is a common productivity trap that we should actively avoid.”

26. Dilly-dallying

This term refers to the act of procrastinating or taking longer than necessary to complete a task. It implies a lack of focus or urgency in getting work done.

For example, a supervisor might say, “Stop dilly-dallying and finish your assignment.”
A parent might scold their child, “Quit dilly-dallying and get ready for school.”
A friend might tease, “You’re always dilly-dallying. No wonder you’re always late.”

27. Lollygagging

This slang term means to spend time aimlessly or lazily, without any specific purpose or productivity. It suggests a lack of motivation or drive to engage in meaningful activities.

For instance, a teacher might reprimand a student, “Stop lollygagging and start working on your assignment.”
A boss might say to an employee, “I don’t pay you to lollygag around the office.”
A friend might joke, “You’re the queen of lollygagging. When are you going to get a job?”

28. Daydreaming

Daydreaming refers to the act of letting your mind wander and engage in imaginative or wishful thinking, often while neglecting tasks or responsibilities at hand.

For example, a teacher might scold a student, “Stop daydreaming and pay attention to the lesson.”
A coworker might say, “You’re always daydreaming. Focus on your work.”
A parent might encourage their child, “It’s okay to daydream, but make sure you also work hard to achieve your goals.”

29. Goldbricking

Goldbricking refers to the act of pretending to work or putting in minimal effort while appearing to be productive. It implies a lack of dedication or commitment to one’s responsibilities.

For instance, a manager might warn their team, “No goldbricking allowed. We need everyone to pull their weight.”
A coworker might complain, “He’s always goldbricking. It’s unfair to the rest of us.”
A friend might say, “I can’t believe you got away with goldbricking for so long.”

30. Vegging out

Vegging out means to engage in mindless relaxation or unproductive leisure activities, often involving watching TV or lounging around without any specific goal or intention.

For example, a parent might say to their child, “Stop vegging out in front of the TV and do something productive.”
A friend might suggest, “Let’s veg out and binge-watch our favorite show.”
A coworker might ask, “What do you do to veg out and unwind after a long day?”

31. Taking a sick day

This refers to taking a day off from work due to illness or feeling unwell. It is a common way to request time off when one is not able to come to work due to health reasons.

For instance, a person might say, “I’m feeling really sick today, so I’m taking a sick day.”
In a conversation about work-life balance, someone might mention, “Sometimes you just need to take a sick day to recharge.”
A coworker might ask, “Are you taking a sick day tomorrow? I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

32. Taking a time-out

This phrase refers to taking a short period of time away from work to relax or recharge. It can be used to describe stepping away from work temporarily to clear one’s mind or relieve stress.

For example, someone might say, “I’ve been working non-stop all morning. I need to take a time-out.”
In a discussion about work productivity, a person might suggest, “Taking regular time-outs throughout the day can actually improve focus.”
A manager might advise their team, “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to take a time-out and regroup.”

33. Not in the office

This phrase indicates that someone is not physically present at their workplace. It can imply that they are not working or unavailable for work-related tasks.

For instance, a coworker might say, “I tried reaching out to John, but he’s not in the office.”
In an email response, someone might write, “I’m currently out of the office and will respond to your message when I return.”
A supervisor might inform their team, “Remember, if you’re not in the office, make sure you update your status so others know you’re unavailable.”

34. Having a day off

This phrase simply means not having to go to work on a particular day. It implies that someone has scheduled time off or is taking a break from their usual work routine.

For example, someone might say, “I’m so excited to have a day off tomorrow. I’m going to relax and do nothing.”
In a conversation about work-life balance, a person might mention, “It’s important to take regular days off to avoid burnout.”
A coworker might ask, “Are you having a day off this week? We should plan something fun.”

35. Taking a leave of absence

This phrase refers to taking an extended period of time away from work, usually for personal or medical reasons. It implies that someone will be absent from work for a significant amount of time.

For instance, someone might say, “I’m taking a leave of absence to focus on my health.”
In a discussion about work policies, a person might ask, “How long can someone take a leave of absence without risking their job?”
An HR representative might inform an employee, “If you need to take a leave of absence, please submit a formal request and we will review it.”

36. Having a rest day

This phrase refers to taking a break or having a day of relaxation and not engaging in any work or responsibilities.

For example, “I’ve been working hard all week, so I’m having a rest day tomorrow.”
Someone might say, “I deserve a rest day after all the stress I’ve been through.”
A person might plan, “I’m going to have a rest day this weekend and just relax at home.”

37. Not clocked in

This term is used to indicate that someone is not currently working or on the clock for their job.

For instance, “I can’t help you right now, I’m not clocked in.”
A person might mention, “I forgot to clock in this morning, so technically I’m not working yet.”
Someone might ask, “Are you clocked in? I need your help with something.”