In everyday life, we often hear phrases that describe something slow or taking time. These idioms help us express how something moves or happens at a slow pace. Whether it’s a task that feels delayed or a person who walks with little hurry, idioms about being slow are used to describe these moments.
In this article, we will explore a variety of idioms that describe things happening slowly. From phrases about sluggish movements to actions that drag on, we’ll look at how people use these idioms in conversations. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use these idioms to describe slow actions in your daily life.
Idioms About Slow
1. Slow as a snail
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
Example Sentence:
- The car was moving slow as a snail in the heavy traffic.
- He walks as slow as a snail when he’s tired.
Other ways to say: Crawling, sluggish.
Fun Fact/Origin: Snails are known for their slow pace, making them a popular comparison for slow movement.
Usage: Used when something is taking a long time to happen or move.
2. Take it slow
Meaning: To do something in a relaxed or unhurried way.
Example Sentence:
- Let’s take it slow on the hike, so we don’t get too tired.
- I like to take it slow on weekends and relax.
Other ways to say: Go easy, slow down.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase suggests not rushing and enjoying the process.
Usage: Used when suggesting a more relaxed approach to an activity.
3. Dragging one’s feet
Meaning: To do something slowly or reluctantly.
Example Sentence:
- She was dragging her feet when it was time to leave the party.
- He’s dragging his feet about doing his homework.
Other ways to say: Dawdling, procrastinating.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of physically dragging one’s feet to avoid moving quickly.
Usage: Used when someone is moving slowly or avoiding doing something.
4. Languid pace
Meaning: Moving or acting with a lack of energy or effort.
Example Sentence:
- After the long trip, she walked at a languid pace to her hotel.
- The afternoon passed at a languid pace, with everyone taking naps.
Other ways to say: Leisurely, unhurried.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Languid” comes from the Latin word “languidus,” meaning weak or faint.
Usage: Used when describing slow or relaxed movement due to fatigue.
5. On the back burner
Meaning: Delayed or postponed for later.
Example Sentence:
- I put the project on the back burner while I finished other tasks.
- His idea was put on the back burner until next year.
Other ways to say: On hold, delayed.
Fun Fact/Origin: The term comes from cooking, where food left on the back burner cooks slowly or is forgotten.
Usage: Used when something is delayed or temporarily ignored.
6. Taking your sweet time
Meaning: Taking more time than necessary to do something.
Example Sentence:
- She was taking her sweet time at the mall, looking at every store.
- He’s taking his sweet time finishing the assignment.
Other ways to say: Dawdling, lingering.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase suggests someone is taking time in a pleasant, though slow, way.
Usage: Used when someone is taking longer than expected or needed.
7. In no rush
Meaning: Not hurrying or rushing.
Example Sentence:
- I’m in no rush to finish this book; I’m enjoying it too much.
- He’s in no rush to get to work today.
Other ways to say: Unhurried, relaxed.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase suggests having no reason to hurry, often implying comfort or ease.
Usage: Used when someone is not trying to hurry through something.
8. Moving at a snail’s pace
Meaning: Moving very slowly, like a snail.
Example Sentence:
- The line at the bank was moving at a snail’s pace.
- He was moving at a snail’s pace, getting ready for the event.
Other ways to say: Crawling, sluggish.
Fun Fact/Origin: Snails are famously slow, making them a common symbol for slowness.
Usage: Used to describe something happening very slowly.
9. Crawling
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
Example Sentence:
- The traffic was crawling through the city streets.
- The kids were crawling on the playground at a slow pace.
Other ways to say: Creeping, dragging.
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the slow movement of insects or animals like worms and snails.
Usage: Used to describe something or someone moving at a very slow speed.
10. Tardy
Meaning: Being late or delayed.
Example Sentence:
- She was tardy to class because she missed the bus.
- His tardy arrival made everyone wait.
Other ways to say: Late, delayed.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tardy” comes from the Latin word “tardus,” meaning slow.
Usage: Used to describe someone who arrives late or something that happens later than expected.
11. Sluggish
Meaning: Moving slowly or lacking energy.
Example Sentence:
- The car was sluggish, and it took a while to start.
- He felt sluggish after staying up too late last night.
Other ways to say: Languid, lethargic.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Sluggish” comes from the word “slug,” which is a slow-moving creature.
Usage: Used to describe someone or something moving or working slowly.
12. Dawdling
Meaning: Moving slowly or wasting time.
Example Sentence:
- Stop dawdling and get ready for school!
- She was dawdling around the house instead of doing her chores.
Other ways to say: Stalling, dragging one’s feet.
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “dawdle” might come from the word “doodle,” meaning to waste time.
Usage: Used when someone is moving slowly on purpose, wasting time.
13. Procrastinating
Meaning: Putting off doing something until later.
Example Sentence:
- He was procrastinating by watching TV instead of doing his homework.
- I keep procrastinating on cleaning my room.
Other ways to say: Delaying, stalling.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Procrastinate” comes from Latin, meaning “to put off until tomorrow.”
Usage: Used when someone delays or avoids doing something they should be doing.
14. Ponderous
Meaning: Slow and heavy, often due to being awkward or clumsy.
Example Sentence:
- The ponderous elephant moved slowly through the jungle.
- His ponderous speech was hard to sit through.
Other ways to say: Slow-moving, lumbering.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Ponderous” comes from the Latin word “ponderosus,” meaning heavy.
Usage: Used to describe something that is slow and heavy in movement.
15. Lethargic
Meaning: Feeling sluggish or low on energy.
Example Sentence:
- After a long day, I felt too lethargic to do anything else.
- He was lethargic all afternoon after his workout.
Other ways to say: Tired, sluggish.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lethargic” comes from the Greek word “lēthargos,” meaning forgetful or sluggish.
Usage: Used when someone feels very tired or slow-moving.
16. Laggard
Meaning: A person or thing that moves slowly or falls behind.
Example Sentence:
- The laggard students struggled to keep up with the rest of the class.
- He was the laggard in the race, finishing last.
Other ways to say: Slowpoke, straggler.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Laggard” comes from the Middle English word “laggen,” meaning to lag behind.
Usage: Used to describe someone or something that is behind or slower than others.
17. Creeping
Meaning: Moving very slowly, like a person or animal creeping.
Example Sentence:
- The car was creeping through the busy streets.
- His progress was creeping, and it seemed like he wasn’t getting anywhere.
Other ways to say: Crawling, dragging.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Creeping” suggests a very slow, careful movement, like that of an animal.
Usage: Used to describe something that is happening slowly or gradually.
18. Hesitant
Meaning: Moving slowly because of uncertainty or doubt.
Example Sentence:
- She was hesitant to speak up in class, unsure of the answer.
- The hesitant steps of the puppy showed how scared it was.
Other ways to say: Reluctant, unsure.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hesitant” comes from the Latin “haesitare,” meaning to stick or be uncertain.
Usage: Used when someone is unsure or slow to act due to hesitation.
19. Idling
Meaning: Not moving or doing anything, often slowly.
Example Sentence:
- The car was idling in the parking lot, waiting for someone to come back.
- He was idling on the couch all day, not feeling like doing anything.
Other ways to say: Lounging, wasting time.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Idling” refers to running a machine or engine without doing any work.
Usage: Used when someone or something is doing nothing or moving slowly.
20. Dragging
Meaning: Moving slowly or with effort.
Example Sentence:
- The dog was dragging its leash behind it during the walk.
- She felt like her legs were dragging after running a marathon.
Other ways to say: Crawling, sluggish.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dragging” suggests the idea of pulling something along slowly.
Usage: Used when someone or something is moving with difficulty or slowly.
21. Lumbering
Meaning: Moving slowly and awkwardly, often due to size or heaviness.
Example Sentence:
- The bear was lumbering through the forest, looking for food.
- His lumbering steps echoed through the empty hall.
Other ways to say: Stumbling, heavy.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lumbering” suggests movement like that of large, slow animals, such as bears or elephants.
Usage: Used to describe heavy, slow movements.
22. Lumber
Meaning: Moving slowly and clumsily.
Example Sentence:
- The elephant lumbered across the zoo yard.
- After a long day at work, he lumbered to his bed.
Other ways to say: Shuffling, dragging.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lumber” comes from the way large objects or creatures move slowly and awkwardly.
Usage: Used to describe slow, awkward movements, often due to size.
23. Torpid
Meaning: Lacking energy or moving very slowly.
Example Sentence:
- The torpid bear didn’t move much during the cold winter months.
- She felt torpid after staying up late studying for exams.
Other ways to say: Lethargic, sluggish.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Torpid” comes from the Latin “torpere,” meaning to be numb or inactive.
Usage: Used to describe someone or something that is inactive or slow due to lack of energy.
24. Pacing
Meaning: Walking slowly back and forth, often due to anxiety or thinking.
Example Sentence:
- He was pacing around the room, waiting for the phone call.
- She kept pacing nervously before the big test.
Other ways to say: Walking back and forth, wandering.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pacing” comes from the idea of walking slowly, often in circles or back and forth.
Usage: Used when someone walks slowly or anxiously in one place.
25. Inactivity
Meaning: The state of not moving or doing anything.
Example Sentence:
- After a long workout, the dog was resting in inactivity.
- The inactivity of the old clock made it seem forgotten.
Other ways to say: Laziness, stillness.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Inactivity” simply means not being active or moving.
Usage: Used when describing a lack of action or movement.
26. Slow-moving
Meaning: Moving at a slow pace.
Example Sentence:
- The slow-moving river made it difficult to cross.
- The slow-moving crowd made it hard to get to the concert.
Other ways to say: Sluggish, leisurely.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Slow-moving” describes something or someone that is not quick to move.
Usage: Used to describe something that is moving at a slow pace.
27. Strolling
Meaning: Walking slowly in a relaxed or leisurely way.
Example Sentence:
- They were strolling through the park, enjoying the nice weather.
- She was strolling along the beach, taking in the view.
Other ways to say: Walking slowly, ambling.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Strolling” is associated with a peaceful and enjoyable walk, often without a set destination.
Usage: Used to describe walking slowly and leisurely, without hurry.
28. Stiff
Meaning: Moving slowly and awkwardly, often due to discomfort or lack of flexibility.
Example Sentence:
- After sitting all day, he felt stiff and moved slowly.
- She was stiff from exercising too much and walked slowly.
Other ways to say: Rigid, tense.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Stiff” refers to being physically uncomfortable, which causes slow or awkward movements.
Usage: Used to describe slow movements caused by discomfort or stiffness.
29. Bumbling
Meaning: Moving in a clumsy or confused way, often slowly.
Example Sentence:
- He was bumbling through his notes, trying to find the right page.
- The bumbling waiter spilled the drinks while moving too slowly.
Other ways to say: Clumsy, fumbling.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bumbling” comes from the idea of moving in a careless, slow, or awkward way.
Usage: Used when describing someone moving slowly due to clumsiness or confusion.
30. Creep along
Meaning: To move slowly and steadily.
Example Sentence:
- The train was creeping along the tracks, making little progress.
- She felt like the day was creeping along with nothing to do.
Other ways to say: Crawl, drag.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Creep” often refers to moving slowly, similar to the way a cat or other animal might move.
Usage: Used when something or someone is moving slowly with little change.
31. Meandering
Meaning: Moving in a slow and indirect way, often without a specific direction.
Example Sentence:
- The hikers were meandering through the woods, enjoying the scenery.
- The river meanders through the valley, making its way slowly.
Other ways to say: Winding, wandering.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Meandering” comes from the winding paths of the Meander River in Turkey, known for its slow curves.
Usage: Used to describe something moving slowly in a winding or unpredictable path.
32. Holding up
Meaning: To cause a delay or slow something down.
Example Sentence:
- The car accident was holding up traffic for hours.
- The rain is holding up our plans for the picnic.
Other ways to say: Delaying, stalling.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Holding up” refers to something that stops progress or delays something from moving forward.
Usage: Used when something is causing a delay in a process or event.
33. Lagging behind
Meaning: Falling behind in speed or progress.
Example Sentence:
- She was lagging behind in the race, but kept trying her best.
- He was lagging behind in class because he missed some lessons.
Other ways to say: Falling behind, trailing.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lagging” comes from the idea of someone or something being left behind in a race or competition.
Usage: Used to describe someone or something that is slower or behind others in progress.
Quiz: Idioms About Slow
Question Key
1. What does the idiom “slow as a snail” mean?
A) Moving very quickly.
B) Moving very slowly.
C) Moving in a straight line.
2. If someone says, “Take it slow,” what do they mean?
A) Rush through things quickly.
B) Enjoy the moment and go at a relaxed pace.
C) Take a break.
3. If you are “dragging your feet,” what are you doing?
A) Moving quickly with excitement.
B) Moving slowly, not wanting to do something.
C) Walking in a straight line.
4. What does it mean to “dawdle”?
A) To walk in a hurry.
B) To waste time by moving slowly.
C) To move in circles quickly.
5. If someone is “in no rush,” what are they doing?
A) Moving as fast as possible.
B) Moving slowly and taking their time.
C) Moving quickly without thinking.
6. What does it mean when something is “dragging”?
A) Moving quickly in one direction.
B) Moving slowly with difficulty.
C) Moving smoothly without stops.
7. If someone is “lumbering,” how are they moving?
A) In a fast, light way.
B) Slowly and clumsily, like a heavy object.
C) In a straight, even line.
8. If a car is “creeping along,” how is it moving?
A) At a fast pace.
B) Very slowly.
C) With sudden stops and starts.
9. What does it mean to be “tardy”?
A) Being on time.
B) Being early.
C) Being late or delayed.
10. If something is “moving at a snail’s pace,” how is it moving?
A) Very quickly.
B) Very slowly.
C) With sudden bursts of speed.
Answers Key
- B – Moving very slowly.
- B – Enjoy the moment and go at a relaxed pace.
- B – Moving slowly, not wanting to do something.
- B – To waste time by moving slowly.
- B – Moving slowly and taking their time.
- B – Moving slowly with difficulty.
- B – Slowly and clumsily, like a heavy object.
- B – Very slowly.
- C – Being late or delayed.
- B – Very slowly.
Wrapping Up
We’ve learned many idioms that describe how things or people move slowly. These idioms help us talk about things like being lazy, taking our time, or just moving at a relaxed pace. Using these expressions in conversations makes language more fun and colorful.
Next time you hear someone saying something like “dragging their feet” or “taking it slow,” you’ll know exactly what they mean! Keep practicing these idioms, and soon you’ll be using them in your everyday speech.
