short time

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Reduced working hours: "short time" refers to a situation where employees work fewer hours per day or fewer days per week than the standard full-time schedule, often due to economic conditions or business needs.
    • A period of less than full employment: It describes a temporary arrangement where workers are employed for less than the usual number of hours or days.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The factory put its workers on short time because of a decline in orders. (Employees were scheduled to work fewer hours than normal.)
    • During the recession, many companies resorted to short time to avoid layoffs. (Businesses reduced working hours to keep staff employed.)
    • He has been on short time for three months, working only four days a week. (He is experiencing a reduced work schedule.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be on short time": to be employed for fewer hours or days than standard.

    • The entire department is on short time until the project is completed. (The team works reduced hours temporarily.)

  • "to put someone on short time": to reduce an employee's working hours.

    • Management put the factory workers on short time to cut costs. (The company decreased work hours for staff.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Short-time worker (n): a person who works fewer than the standard number of hours per day or days per week.

    • A short-time worker typically earns less than a full-time employee. (A person on a reduced schedule.)

  • Short-timer (n): a person who works on a short-time basis or who has little time left in a job or situation (e.g., before retirement).

    • He is a short-timer, counting down the days until his retirement. (Someone with limited remaining time.)
Synonyms
  • Reduced hours: fewer working hours than normal.
  • Part-time work: employment for fewer hours than full-time (though "short time" often implies temporary or forced reduction).
  • Underemployment: a situation where a person works less than desired or in a job below their skill level.
Related Idioms

  • Work short time: to be employed for fewer hours than standard.

    • Many workers had to work short time during the economic downturn. (They experienced reduced hours.)

  • On a short-time basis: temporarily working reduced hours.

    • The company hired staff on a short-time basis for the holiday season. (Employees were scheduled for fewer hours temporarily.)