goldbricking
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The evasion of work or duty; shirking or laziness, especially while pretending to be busy or engaged. This term specifically refers to the act of avoiding one's assigned tasks or responsibilities, often through deception or by creating a false appearance of being occupied.
Usage and Examples
Noun: * The manager noticed a pattern of goldbricking among some employees who spent hours at the coffee station. * His constant goldbricking was finally exposed when the project deadlines were missed. * The new policy was implemented to reduce goldbricking and improve overall productivity.
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a connotation of deliberate deception, not just simple laziness. A person who is is typically trying to avoid work while giving the impression they are working.
- It can be used in both formal (workplace, military) and informal contexts to describe shirking behavior.
Variants and Related Words
- Goldbrick (verb): To evade work or duty.
- He tried to goldbrick his way through the afternoon.
- Goldbrick (noun, informal): A person who shirks duty or work; a lazy person.
- Don't be such a goldbrick; we all have to contribute.
Synonyms
- Shirking
- Slacking
- Loafing
- Malingering (specifically feigning illness to avoid duty)
- Goofing off (informal)
- Soldiering (in a work context)
Antonyms
- Diligence
- Industriousness
- Assiduity
- Hard work
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To goof off: To spend time idly or avoid work (less formal and without the strong connotation of deception present in ).
- To shirk one's duties/responsibilities: A more formal phrase with a similar meaning.
Noun
- the evasion of work or duty