do-little attitude

8.2

A habit of not trying hard and avoiding work

noun
/duːˈlɪtəl ˈætɪtjuːd/

: actitud de pereza

A do-little attitude in the workplace often results in poor performance and low morale.

Examples

Her do-little attitude made it difficult for the group to finish the project on time.
The coach warned the players against adopting a do-little attitude during practice.
His do-little attitude at work frustrated his colleagues.
Many students adopt a do-little attitude towards their studies.
A do-little attitude in the workplace often results in poor performance and low morale.
Her do-little attitude made it difficult for the group to finish the project on time.
The coach warned the players against adopting a do-little attitude during practice.

Synonyms

laziness

vsdo-little attitude

30 1.4

A tendency to avoid work and use little energy

is expressed as a tendency to avoid effort rather than a neutral trait

sloth

vsdo-little attitude

13 4.6

Not wanting to work or make an effort

is the tendency to avoid making effort rather than merely a condition

indolence

vsdo-little attitude

3 8.1

A habit of not wanting to work or try hard

is the general tendency to avoid effort rather than chronic inactivity

slothfulness

vsdo-little attitude

1 8.1

A habit of not wanting to work or make any effort

is the personal tendency to avoid effort rather than that state

do-little approach

vsdo-little attitude

8.2

A way of acting that uses little effort

is the personal tendency to avoid effort rather than an explicit policy

perfunctoriness

vsdo-little attitude

9.9

A lack of interest or care when doing something

is about avoiding effort rather than doing tasks without interest

How Lazy

slothfulness

1 8.1

do-little attitude

8.2

Surface Forms

do-little attitude singular

do-little attitudes plural

Morphology

do-little + attitude

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'do' + 'little' conveys 'to do only a small amount' or 'to put in little effort', and combined with 'attitude' yields 'a tendency to do little' (i.e. laziness). This verb + quantifier/adjective composition is transparent and readily inferable by a B1 learner who knows the parts.

Etymology

Do-little attitude comes from a simple picture of a person who chooses to do very little, doing tiny tasks or standing aside while others work. So it describes a way of behaving that is 'lazy' or that avoids making effort.