slack (redirected from slacking)

cut someone some slack (American & Australian, informal)

to allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed, or to treat someone less severely than is usual. Officials have asked the Environmental Protection Agency to cut Utah some slack in enforcing the Clean Air Act.

See also: cut, some

pick/take up the slack (American & Australian, informal)

to do the work which someone else has stopped doing, but which still needs to be done. When Sue starts going out to work each day, Bob and the kids will have to take up the slack and help more at home.

See also: pick, take

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cut someone some slack

to give someone additional freedom. I'm going to cut you some slack. Because it's the last day of classes, we don't have to talk anything serious today. If you and your kids don't agree about their futures, cut them some slack — explain your views, but don't try to force them to agree.

See also: cut, some

pick up the slack

to do something when someone else cannot or will not do it. With our best player injured, other players picked up the slack. Who will take up the slack when our grant money runs out?

See also: pick

slack off

1. to work less hard than is usual or necessary. Workers tend to slack off on Mondays and Fridays.

2. to become less severe or extreme. If this rain would slack off, we could finish the work outside.