untasked
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not assigned a task: "untasked" describes a person or thing that has not been given a specific duty, job, or responsibility.
- Not challenged or stressed: In a broader sense, "untasked" can refer to someone or something that is not under pressure, strain, or demanding work.
Usage Examples
- (The intern had no assigned duties.)
- (Her mind was not under stress or challenge.)
- (The processor had no tasks to perform.)
Advanced Usage
"to remain untasked": to stay without any assigned work or responsibility.
- The assistant remained untasked until the manager returned from leave. (The assistant had no tasks to do.)
"untasked labour": workers who have not been given specific jobs or duties.
- The untasked labourers stood by the construction site, awaiting instructions. (The workers had no assigned tasks.)
Variants and Related Words
Task (n): a piece of work to be done.
- She completed the task ahead of schedule. (She finished the assigned work early.)
Tasked (adj): having been given a task or duty.
- The tasked team worked diligently on the project. (The team was assigned a specific job.)
Untask (v): to remove a task or duty from someone (rarely used).
- The manager decided to untask the employee due to overload. (The manager freed the employee from a task.)
Synonyms
- Unassigned: not allocated or designated to a specific role.
- Unoccupied: not engaged in any activity or duty.
- Idle: not active or in use, especially regarding work.
Antonyms (for clarity)
- Tasked: assigned a specific duty.
- Busy: actively engaged in work.
- Stressed: under mental or physical strain.
Related Idioms
Sitting idle: being inactive or without work.
- The untasked workers were sitting idle in the break room. (They had no tasks to perform.)
Twiddling one's thumbs: doing nothing, especially while waiting for work.
- With no assignments, the untasked intern was twiddling his thumbs. (He was idle and bored.)