Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lie idle / to be idle: To remain lying down or inactive, specifically without work or any task to do. It describes a state of having nothing to do, often implying laziness or a lack of occupation.
   • To be unemployed (in a temporary or lazy sense): To be without a job or specific duty, often with a connotation of choosing inactivity.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cả ngày anh ta chỉ nằm mèo ở nhà. (He just lies idle at home all day.)
  • Máy hỏng, công nhân phải nằm mèo chờ sửa. (The machine is broken, so the workers have to lie idle waiting for repairs.)
  • Không có dự án mới, đội ngũ thiết kế đang nằm mèo. (With no new projects, the design team is lying idle.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a slightly negative or critical tone, suggesting unproductive use of time rather than legitimate rest.

Variants and Related Words

• Nằm ì (verb phrase): To lie still, to be stagnant, often used for people or projects showing no progress.
• Ngồi chơi xơi nước (idiom): To sit idle, literally "to sit, play, and drink water," meaning to have a very easy time with no work.

Synonyms

• To be idle: To not be working or active.
• To be unoccupied: To have nothing to do.
• To be at a loose end: To have nothing specific to do.

Related Idioms

• Ăn không ngồi rồi: To be idle and live off others; to live in idle comfort.
  • Cậu ấy suốt ngày ăn không ngồi rồi. (He is idle all day long, living off others.)