in-basket
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A container, typically made of wood or metal, placed on a desk to hold incoming documents, mail, or other materials for a person's attention and processing.
Usage
The term "in-basket" refers specifically to the physical or conceptual tray where new, unprocessed items are placed. It is used in office and administrative contexts. - Please place the new reports in my in-basket. - Her in-basket was overflowing with unread memos.
Advanced Usage
- Conceptual Use: In time management and productivity systems, the "in-basket" (or "inbox") is a key component for collecting all incoming tasks and information before they are organized.
- The first step in the methodology is to empty your in-basket daily.
Variants and Related Words
- In-tray: A synonym, more commonly used in British English.
- Out-basket (Noun): A companion receptacle for holding outgoing or processed materials.
- After signing the letters, he moved them to his out-basket.
Synonyms
- Inbox
- In-tray
- Receiving tray
Antonyms
- Out-basket
- Out-tray
- Outbox
Related Idioms/Phrases
- To clear one's in-basket: To process all the items in one's incoming tray, often used metaphorically to mean handling all pending tasks.
- He stayed late to clear his in-basket before the vacation.
Noun
- a wood or metal receptacle placed on your desk to hold your incoming material