Noun
-
a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely
"he took up the slack"
-
the quality of being loose (not taut)
"he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope"
-
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
a stretch of water without current or movement
"suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless"
- slack water -
a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
"the team went into a slump"
"a gradual slack in output"
"a drop-off in attendance"
"a falloff in quality"
- drop off - falling off -
dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
Verb
-
cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water
"slack lime"
-
become less in amount or intensity
"The storm abated"
"The rain let up after a few hours"
- let up - slack off - die away -
make less active or intense
-
become slow or slower
"Production slowed"
- slow down - slow up -
make less active or fast
"He slackened his pace as he got tired"
"Don't relax your efforts now"
- slack up -
release tension on
"slack the rope"
-
be inattentive to, or neglect
"He slacks his attention"
-
avoid responsibilities and work, be idle
Adjective
-
lacking in rigor or strictness
"such lax and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable"
"lax in attending classes"
"slack in maintaining discipline"
-
flowing with little speed as e.g. at the turning of the tide
"slack water"
-
not tense or taut
"the old man's skin hung loose and grey"
"slack and wrinkled skin"
"slack sails"
"a slack rope"