slack

• Qualifie quelque chose qui n'est pas tendu, serré ou raide ; peut aussi désigner un manque de rigueur ou de zèle.

Describes something that is not tight, firm, or tense; can also refer to a lack of strictness or diligence.

1. Not tense or tautB1formal

   Loose, not pulled tight; having a relaxed or loose quality.

   détendu, non tendu

   • The rope was slack, so he tightened it.
   • Her muscles felt slack after the long massage.
   • The slack line of the flag hung limply in the still air.

   Synonymesflaccidlaxlimplooserelaxedsagging

   Antonymesstretchedtauttensetight

2. Flowing with little speedB2formal

   Describing a period of slow or minimal movement, especially in water or tide.

   Quasi-immobile (en parlant de l'eau ou du courant)

   • The boat drifted during the slack tide.
   • We waited for the slack water before launching the kayak.
   • The current was slack near the river's bend.

   Synonymescalmquietslowsluggishstagnantstill

   Antonymesfastquickrapidrushingswift

3. Lacking in rigor or strictnessB2formal

   Not strict, careful, or thorough; showing a lack of discipline or effort.

   relâché

   • The teacher was criticized for being slack with classroom rules.
   • His slack attitude toward deadlines cost him the promotion.
   • The company's slack security measures led to a data breach.

   Synonymescarelessinattentivelaxlenientlooseneglectfulnegligentremisssloppy

   Antonymescarefulconscientiousdiligentdisciplinedexactingmeticulousrigorousscrupulousstrictthorough

• Nom avec plusieurs sens, incluant les petits fragments de charbon et la poussière qui s'échappent lors du tri du charbon ; une baisse notable de la performance ou de la qualité ; une étendue d'eau sans courant ni mouvement ; une dépression humide et molle qui s'affaisse sous les pieds ; la propriété d'être lâche ou non tendu ; ou une corde, un fil ou un câble pendant librement.

A noun with multiple meanings, including small coal fragments and dust that sift out when coal is sieved; a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality; a stretch of water without current or movement; a soft, wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot; the quality of being loose or not taut; or a cord, rope, or cable that is hanging loosely.

1. Coal dust and fragmentsC1formal

   A mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve.

   Menu charbon

   • The miners swept up the slack from the coal sorting area.
   • A pile of slack accumulated beneath the sieve.
   • The furnace was fueled with slack and small coal pieces.

   Synonymesbreezeculm

2. Decline in performance or qualityB2informal

   A noticeable deterioration in performance, effort, or quality.

   Baisse de performance ou de qualité

   • There has been a slack in the team's productivity this quarter.
   • The manager noticed a slack in customer service standards.
   • After the holidays, there was a slack in work output.

   Synonymesdrop-offfalloffslump

   Antonymesexcellenceimprovementpeak

3. Still waterC1formal

   A stretch of water without current or movement, often in a river or tide.

   eaux mortes

   • The boat drifted into the slack of the river.
   • During slack tide, the water was perfectly still.
   • Fishermen prefer the slack areas for calm fishing.

   Synonymesbackwater

4. Boggy groundC2formalbritish

   A soft, wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot.

   Terrain marécageux

   • The hikers avoided the slack near the marsh.
   • The field had several slacks where water collected.
   • Walking through the slack was difficult due to the mud.

   Synonymesbogfenmarshmiremorassquagquagmiresloughswamp

5. Lack of tensionB2formal

   The quality of being loose or not taut, especially in a rope or cable.

   Mou (d'une corde, d'un câble)

   • He pulled the rope to remove the slack.
   • There was too much slack in the fishing line.
   • The climber adjusted the slack in the safety harness.

   Synonymesgivelaxnessloosenessplayslackness

   Antonymesrigiditystraintautnesstensiontightness

6. Hanging part of a ropeB2formal

   A cord, rope, or cable that is hanging loosely.

   Partie détendue d'une corde

   • The slack of the rope coiled on the deck.
   • He grabbed the slack to secure the boat.
   • The slack in the cable caused it to swing in the wind.

   Synonymesgiveloosenessplayslackness

   Antonymestautnesstension

• Verbe désignant l'action de réduire la vitesse, l'effort ou la tension; se relâcher ou devenir moins actif.

A verb used to indicate the act of reducing speed, effort, or tension; to loosen or become less active.

1. Avoid work or responsibilitiesB2informal

   To be idle or lazy, avoiding one's duties or tasks.

   Tirer au flanc

   • He's been slacking off at work all week.
   • Stop slacking and help me with this project.
   • She tends to slack when the boss isn't watching.

   Synonymesdodgeevadegoldbrickidleloafmalingershirkskive

   Antonymesapplylaborstrivetoilwork

2. Neglect or be inattentiveB2formal

   To fail to give proper attention or care to something.

   Négliger

   • He slacked his duties as a supervisor.
   • Don't slack your responsibilities toward the team.
   • She slacked her studies and her grades dropped.

   Synonymesdisregarddodgeevadeneglectshirkskive

   Antonymesattendcareheedmindtend

3. Release tensionB2formal

   To loosen or reduce tension on something, such as a rope or cable.

   relâcher, détendre

   • Slack the rope a little so we can tie it.
   • He slacked the line to release the sail.
   • The climber slacked the rope to give his partner more room.

   Synonymeseaselet outloosenrelaxreleaseslacken

   Antonymesstraintensiontighten

4. Make less active or fastB2formal

   To slow down or reduce the speed or intensity of something.

   Ralentir

   • The driver slacked his speed as he approached the curve.
   • She slacked the pace to conserve energy.
   • The manager slacked the production rate to improve quality.

   Synonymesabatedeceleratediminisheasemoderatereducerelaxretardslackenslow

   Antonymesaccelerateexpeditehastenquickenspeed

5. Become slow or slowerB2formal

   To decrease in speed or activity.

   ralentir

   • The wind slacked as the storm passed.
   • His enthusiasm slacked after the initial excitement.
   • The flow of traffic slacked during the late hours.

   Synonymesabatedeceleratediminishease uplet upmoderateslackenslowslow down

6. Make less active or intenseB2formal

   To reduce the level of activity or intensity of something.

   relâcher

   • She slacked her efforts after achieving the goal.
   • The company slacked its marketing campaign due to budget cuts.
   • He slacked his training regimen during the holidays.

   Synonymesabatediminisheaselessenmitigatemoderatereduceslacken

   Antonymesincreaseintensifystiffentighten

7. Become less in amount or intensityB2formal

   To diminish or decrease in quantity or strength.

   diminuer d'intensité ou de quantité

   • The rain slacked after an hour.
   • Demand for the product slacked in the off-season.
   • His anger slacked as he calmed down.

   Synonymesabatedecreasedie downdiminisheasefall offlessenlet upmoderatereducerelentsubsidetaper offwane

   Antonymesgrowincreaseintensifystrengthen

8. Treat with water to cause crumblingC1formal

   To cause something, such as lime, to heat and crumble by treatment with water.

   éteindre (la chaux)

   • The workers slacked the lime by adding water.
   • They slacked the quicklime to produce hydrated lime.
   • The process of slacking lime requires careful control of water.

   Synonymesslake

Variantes phrasalslack offslack up