idly
37
3.7
- adverb
- /ˈaɪdli/
:
perezosamente
- We think that we are going to stand idly by when they take our rights.
- stand idly by
- sit idly
- watch idly
In the main, it stood by idly and let the crisis take its course.
- In the main, it stood by idly and let the crisis take its course.
- Everybody else seems to be happy just to sit idly by and silent.
- One day I was sitting at my computer, my PC, and I was idly looking at the, the, the cable snaking it's way from the power socket to my computer.
- That love does not allow him to just stand by idly while that happens.
- For the wrong to rule, the good must just and idly by.
Examples
-
Alumni will not sit idly by while the political attack on academic values goes unchallenged.
Academic text (1995) -
That love does not allow him to just stand by idly while that happens.
-
So then you can just sit there idly quiet and on your phone.
-
Is a mother to just sit idly and watch?
-
In the main, it stood by idly and let the crisis take its course.
-
Everybody else seems to be happy just to sit idly by and silent.
-
And l, for one, am not gonna sit idly by and watch the world go up in flames when I can do something about it.
-
And while they blamed the victim, as usual, the federal government stood idly by.
-
So I can't sit idly while a teacher endangers our children.
-
He watched idly as the children played in the park.
Synonyms
24
3.7
Without a clear purpose, direction, or plan
12
1.2
In a slow relaxed way that uses little energy
11
5.8
Without thinking or paying attention
3
7.0
In a slow, relaxed way with little energy
3
5.7
In a way that shows little energy or interest
3
3.6
Slowly and with little energy
1
5.4
In a way that shows no energy or interest
1
7.6
In a lazy way that avoids work or effort
1
6.7
Slowly and without energy
1
9.5
In a lazy, careless way with little interest
Move or act slowly with little energy
In a way that shows little activity or movement
Doing something without a clear aim or plan
Antonyms
How Purposeful
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word idly comes from idle, which goes back to an old English word idel meaning 'empty' or 'useless'. So to act idly is to do something as if your time or mind is 'empty' — without purpose or much energy.