Top 46 Slang For Slowdown – Meaning & Usage

Feeling like things are moving at a snail’s pace? We’ve got you covered with a list of the coolest and most current slang for slowdown. Whether you’re trying to describe a sluggish day or a leisurely weekend, our team has rounded up the trendiest terms to help you navigate the world of slow living. Get ready to upgrade your vocabulary and add some flair to your conversations with our handpicked selection of phrases that capture the art of taking it easy.

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1. Crawl

This term refers to moving or progressing at an extremely slow speed, often used to describe a situation or process that is taking much longer than expected.

For example, “The traffic was so bad that we were crawling along the highway.”
In a work setting, someone might complain, “The project is moving at a crawl, we need to pick up the pace.”
A person describing a slow internet connection might say, “My internet is crawling, it’s taking forever to load anything.”

2. Snail’s pace

This phrase is used to describe a very slow speed or rate of progress, comparable to how a snail moves.

For instance, “The line at the DMV was moving at a snail’s pace.”
When describing a slow walker, someone might say, “He walks at a snail’s pace, it’s frustrating to keep up.”
A person waiting for a slow computer to start up might comment, “This thing is running at a snail’s pace, I need to upgrade.”

3. Drag

This term refers to a situation or activity that is uneventful, dull, or taking too long.

For example, “The meeting was a drag, it went on for hours without any real progress.”
When describing a slow movie or TV show, someone might say, “That film was a drag, I couldn’t wait for it to end.”
A person complaining about a slow day at work might comment, “Today is such a drag, nothing is happening.”

4. Languish

This word describes being in a state of slow growth, progress, or decline, often used to depict a lack of development or vitality.

For instance, “The business has been languishing for months, we need to come up with new strategies.”
When describing a person’s career that is not advancing, someone might say, “He’s been languishing in the same position for years.”
A person discussing a neglected garden might comment, “The plants are languishing due to lack of care.”

5. Limp

This term is used to describe a slow and weak movement, often associated with a lack of strength or energy.

For example, “After the marathon, he was limping back to the finish line.”
When describing a slow and hesitant speaker, someone might say, “He spoke in a limp manner, struggling to find his words.”
A person describing a slow and weak economy might comment, “The market is limping along, there’s no significant growth.”

6. Slacken

Slacken refers to the act of slowing down or reducing speed. It can be used in various contexts, such as in driving or in work.

For example, a driver might say, “I need to slacken my speed because of the traffic.”
In a work setting, a supervisor might advise, “Don’t slacken your pace, we have a deadline to meet.”
A person discussing productivity might suggest, “Slackening your pace can actually improve focus and creativity.”

7. Dawdle

Dawdle means to take one’s time or delay in completing a task or moving forward. It is often used to describe someone who is slow or leisurely in their actions.

For instance, a parent might say to their child, “Stop dawdling and hurry up.”
In a group setting, someone might comment, “We won’t finish on time if we continue to dawdle.”
A person discussing time management might advise, “Avoid dawdling and stay focused on your priorities.”

8. Loiter

Loiter refers to hanging around or lingering in a place without any specific purpose or intention. It is often associated with wasting time or being idle.

For example, a sign in a store might say, “No loitering allowed.”
In a public space, someone might ask, “Why are those people loitering around here?”
A person discussing productivity might caution, “Avoid loitering and use your time wisely.”

9. Tarry

Tarry means to delay or stay longer than intended in a particular place or situation. It can also refer to taking longer than necessary to make a decision or take action.

For instance, a person might say, “I can’t tarry any longer, I need to leave.”
In a meeting, someone might comment, “Let’s not tarry too much on this topic.”
A person discussing decision-making might advise, “Don’t tarry in making important choices, gather the necessary information and act.”

10. Lollygag

Lollygag means to spend time aimlessly or in a lazy manner, often without a particular purpose or goal. It is commonly used to describe someone who is wasting time or being unproductive.

For example, a parent might scold their child, “Stop lollygagging and start doing your homework.”
In a work setting, a supervisor might say, “We can’t afford any lollygagging, we have a lot of work to do.”
A person discussing time management might suggest, “Avoid lollygagging and stay focused on your tasks to increase productivity.”

11. Putter

To putter means to move or act slowly, without purpose or direction. It can also refer to someone who is procrastinating or taking their time to complete a task.

For example, “He puttered around the house all day, not accomplishing anything.”
When talking about someone who is not making progress, you might say, “He’s just puttering along in his career.”
In a discussion about someone taking their time, you could say, “She’s puttering around, not making any decisions.”

12. Dilly-dally

Dilly-dallying means to waste time or procrastinate, often by doing unimportant or unnecessary tasks instead of focusing on what needs to be done.

For instance, “Stop dilly-dallying and get to work!”
If someone is taking too long to make a decision, you might say, “Quit dilly-dallying and make up your mind.”
In a conversation about someone who is delaying progress, you could say, “He’s been dilly-dallying for weeks and nothing has been accomplished.”

13. Tarriance

Tarriance refers to a delay or lingering in a particular place or situation. It can also mean to take one’s time or not rush.

For example, “Her tarriance at the store caused her to be late for the meeting.”
If someone is taking longer than expected, you might say, “His tarriance is holding up the project.”
In a discussion about someone who is not making progress, you could say, “His tarriance is preventing us from moving forward.”

14. Lag

Lag refers to falling behind or moving slowly compared to others. It can also refer to a delay or slow response in a system or process.

For instance, “He lagged behind the rest of the group during the hike.”
If someone is not keeping up with the pace, you might say, “Don’t lag behind, we need to finish this together.”
In a conversation about a slow internet connection, you could say, “I’m experiencing lag while trying to stream videos.”

15. Saunter

To saunter means to walk in a leisurely or casual manner, often without a specific destination or purpose. It implies a slow and relaxed pace.

For example, “He sauntered down the street, enjoying the sunshine.”
If someone is taking their time while walking, you might say, “She sauntered into the room, not in a hurry.”
In a discussion about someone who is not making progress, you could say, “He’s sauntering through life, not accomplishing anything.”

16. Mosey

To move or walk at a slow and leisurely pace. “Mosey” is often used to describe a relaxed and unhurried way of moving.

For example, “Let’s mosey on down to the park and enjoy the sunshine.”
A person might say, “I don’t feel like rushing, so I’ll just mosey my way to the office.”
In a Western movie, a character might say, “We’ll mosey into town and see what’s happening.”

17. Plod

To move or walk with a slow, heavy, and laborious gait. “Plod” is often used to describe a slow and monotonous way of moving.

For instance, “The tired hiker continued to plod along the trail.”
A person might say, “I’m so tired after a long day of work, all I can do is plod to the couch.”
In a race, a runner who is fatigued might plod towards the finish line.

18. Trudge

To walk or march with heavy, laborious steps, often due to exhaustion or difficulty. “Trudge” implies a slow and weary way of moving.

For example, “The hiker trudged through the deep snow to reach the summit.”
A person might say, “After a long day at work, I trudge up the stairs to my apartment.”
In a military context, soldiers might trudge through muddy terrain during training exercises.

19. Creep

To move or advance slowly and silently, often in a cautious or secretive manner. “Creep” can also refer to a slow and deliberate way of moving.

For instance, “The cat crept along the fence, stalking its prey.”
A person might say, “I like to creep up on my friends and surprise them.”
In a horror movie, a character might creep through a dark hallway, trying to avoid detection.

20. Inch along

To move or proceed in small increments or distances. “Inch along” conveys a sense of slow and gradual progress.

For example, “The traffic was so heavy that we could only inch along.”
A person might say, “I’m running late, but the line at the coffee shop is inching along.”
In a crowded marketplace, shoppers might inch along as they navigate through the crowd.

21. Shuffle

To shuffle means to move in a slow, lazy, or leisurely manner. It can also refer to a slow and relaxed dance style.

For example, “After a long day at work, I just want to shuffle around the house.”
In a discussion about dance styles, someone might say, “I love the smooth and laid-back feel of the shuffle.”
A person describing their morning routine might say, “I shuffle into the kitchen to make my first cup of coffee.”

22. Lumber

To lumber means to move in a slow, clumsy, or heavy manner. It often implies a lack of grace or agility.

For instance, “He lumbered across the room, knocking over a chair.”
In a conversation about hiking, someone might say, “I struggle to keep up with my friends because I tend to lumber along.”
A person describing their dog’s behavior might say, “My dog loves to lumber around the backyard, sniffing everything in sight.”

23. Amble

To amble means to walk in a slow, leisurely, or casual manner. It suggests a relaxed and unhurried pace.

For example, “We decided to amble through the park, enjoying the scenery.”
In a discussion about city exploration, someone might say, “I love to amble through the streets, discovering hidden gems.”
A person describing their weekend plans might say, “I just want to amble around town, exploring different shops and cafes.”

24. Dally

To dally means to waste time or linger in a purposeless manner. It implies a lack of urgency or productivity.

For instance, “Stop dallying and get to work!”
In a conversation about productivity, someone might say, “I often find myself dallying on social media instead of focusing on my tasks.”
A person describing their vacation mindset might say, “I plan to dally on the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the moment.”

25. Linger

To linger means to stay or remain in a place longer than necessary or expected. It suggests a reluctance to leave or a desire to prolong an experience.

For example, “She lingered at the party, not wanting the night to end.”
In a discussion about goodbyes, someone might say, “I always linger at the door, saying goodbye multiple times.”
A person describing their favorite coffee shop might say, “I love to linger there, sipping my latte and people-watching.”

26. Stroll

Strolling refers to walking in a slow and relaxed manner, often without a specific destination or purpose.

For example, “Let’s take a stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery.”
A person might say, “I like to stroll around the neighborhood after dinner to unwind.”
In a conversation about exercise, someone might mention, “I prefer a leisurely stroll over intense workouts.”

27. Meander

Meandering describes a slow and aimless movement, often following a winding or indirect path.

For instance, “We decided to meander through the streets of the old town and explore.”
In a discussion about hiking, someone might say, “The trail meanders through the forest, offering beautiful views.”
A person might describe a river by saying, “The river meanders through the valley, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.”

28. Slog

Slogging refers to moving slowly and laboriously, often with a lot of effort and difficulty.

For example, “We had to slog through the muddy terrain to reach our destination.”
In a conversation about work, someone might say, “I’ve been slogging through this report all day.”
A person might describe a challenging task by saying, “It’s going to be a slog, but we’ll get through it.”

29. Creak along

Creaking along describes a slow and squeaky movement, often associated with old or worn-out objects.

For instance, “The old wooden cart creaked along as it was pulled by the horse.”
In a discussion about a noisy vehicle, someone might say, “My car is so old, it creaks along every time I drive.”
A person might describe a rusty bicycle by saying, “It creaks along whenever I pedal.”

30. Inch

Inching refers to moving very slowly and gradually, often in small increments or steps.

For example, “The car inched forward in the traffic jam.”
In a conversation about progress, someone might say, “We’re inching closer to achieving our goals.”
A person might describe a slow-moving line by saying, “We’re inching along in this queue.”

31. Loll

To loll means to idle around or laze about, often in a relaxed or lazy manner. It can refer to slowing down or taking a break from activity.

For example, “I’m just going to loll around on the couch all day.”
Someone might say, “After a long week, I like to loll by the pool and do nothing.”
A person describing their weekend plans might say, “I have no plans, just going to loll around and relax.”

32. Poke

To poke means to procrastinate or delay doing something. It can refer to slowing down or putting off tasks or responsibilities.

For instance, “I need to stop poking around and start working.”
A student might say, “I always end up poking and leaving my assignments until the last minute.”
Someone might admit, “I tend to poke when it comes to doing chores around the house.”

33. Delay

To delay means to postpone or put off an action or event. It refers to slowing down or extending the time frame for something to happen.

For example, “The flight was delayed due to bad weather.”
A person might say, “I’m sorry for the delay, we’ll start the meeting in a few minutes.”
Someone might ask, “Can we delay the deadline for this project? I need more time.”

34. Stagnate

To stagnate means to remain in a state of inactivity or lack of progress. It refers to a slowdown or halt in development or growth.

For instance, “The economy is stagnating due to lack of investment.”
A person might say, “I feel like my career has stagnated, and I need to make a change.”
Someone might describe a situation as, “The project has stagnated because of conflicting opinions.”

35. Stumble

To stumble means to trip or falter while walking, often due to a lack of coordination. It can also refer to a slowdown or setback in progress or success.

For example, “She stumbled and almost fell on the uneven pavement.”
A person might say, “I stumbled through my presentation and forgot some important points.”
Someone might admit, “I stumbled in my career, but I learned from my mistakes and moved forward.”

36. Halt

To come to a sudden stop or pause in movement or progress.

For example, “The car came to a halt at the red light.”
In a discussion about productivity, someone might say, “I need to put a halt to all these distractions.”
A person might use this term metaphorically and say, “The project came to a halt when we ran out of funding.”

37. Hesitate

To briefly pause or delay in taking action or making a decision.

For instance, “She hesitated before answering the question.”
In a conversation about trying something new, someone might say, “Don’t hesitate, just go for it!”
A person might admit, “I tend to hesitate when it comes to making big life choices.”

38. Skulk

To move or behave in a secretive or sneaky manner, often with the intention of avoiding attention or detection.

For example, “The spy skulked in the shadows, trying to remain unseen.”
In a discussion about suspicious behavior, someone might say, “I saw him skulking around the office late at night.”
A person might use this term figuratively and say, “He always skulks away when things get tough.”

39. Trickle

To flow or move slowly in a thin stream or in small quantities.

For instance, “The water trickled down the mountainside.”
In a conversation about information spreading, someone might say, “News of the scandal started to trickle out.”
A person might use this term metaphorically and say, “Sales have been trickling in, but we need a big boost.”

40. Creak

To make a high-pitched or squeaking sound, often due to friction or a lack of lubrication.

For example, “The old wooden chair creaked when I sat on it.”
In a discussion about haunted houses, someone might say, “We heard the stairs creaking in the middle of the night.”
A person might use this term figuratively and say, “My knees always creak when I try to stand up after sitting for too long.”

41. Falter

This term refers to a temporary loss of speed or progress. It can also mean to hesitate or waver in action or speech.

For example, “The runner began to falter as he approached the finish line.”
In a conversation about a project, someone might say, “We can’t afford to falter now; we’re almost done!”
Another usage could be, “Her voice faltered as she tried to speak in front of the large audience.”

42. Lull

This word describes a temporary pause or decrease in activity, often characterized by a sense of tranquility or quiet.

For instance, “The storm finally ended, and there was a lull in the rain.”
In a discussion about a busy workday, someone might say, “I was grateful for the lull in the afternoon; it gave me a chance to catch my breath.”
Another usage could be, “The lull in conversation made everyone feel a bit awkward.”

43. Stutter

This term refers to a disruption in speech or movement, typically characterized by repeated or prolonged sounds, syllables, or actions.

For example, “He had a stutter that made it difficult for him to communicate verbally.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning machine, someone might say, “The printer keeps stuttering and printing out incomplete pages.”
Another usage could be, “She stuttered through her presentation, but still managed to get her point across.”

44. Hobble

This word describes a slow or awkward way of moving, often due to physical limitations or pain.

For instance, “After spraining his ankle, he had to hobble around on crutches.”
In a discussion about an injured animal, someone might say, “The injured bird could only hobble along the ground.”
Another usage could be, “She hobbled to the finish line, determined to complete the race despite her injury.”

45. Stagger

This term refers to a wobbly or unsteady way of moving, often due to dizziness, intoxication, or exhaustion.

For example, “After a long night of partying, he staggered home in the early morning.”
In a conversation about a difficult hike, someone might say, “The steep incline made us stagger and lose our balance.”
Another usage could be, “She staggered under the weight of the heavy boxes, struggling to carry them to the car.”

46. Waddle

To waddle means to walk slowly with a swaying motion, usually due to being overweight or having difficulty moving.

For example, “The penguin waddled across the ice.”
In a humorous context, someone might say, “I need to waddle after eating so much at the buffet.”
A person describing a toddler’s movement might say, “She’s just learning to walk, so she waddles a bit.”