Collocations for "slack"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "slack" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
slack
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- too [much, little] slack (in)
- slack in the [sails, ropes, cords, masts]
- there is too much slack in the [rope, line]
- can you give the [rope] a little more slack?
- take out some of the slack
- let out a little more slack
- too much slack at the [office, plant, factory]
- a sudden slack in the [schedule, daily routine]
- figurative: take up the slack [from, for]
- slang: just give me some slack, [pal, buddy]
- slang: need to cut him some slack
- slang: come on, can't you cut me a little slack?
- the [rope, line, cable] slacked
- slack the [rope]
- stop slacking (off)!
- [work, the pace, he] slacked off
- slack off at [work, home, school]
- a slack [rope, cord, grip]
- the [rope, reins] [became, went] slack
- his grip became slack
- had a slack grip on
- his [jaw, mouth, face] went slack
- her [work, output, writing] was slack
- slack [management, procedures, economy, workers]
- was slack in [answering, cleaning, finishing]
- [working, running, operating] at a slack pace
- is [prone to, marked by] slack periods
- a slack period for [stores, hotels, the industry]
- a slack [day, week, period, season]
- business is [a little, quite] slack [today, this week]
- the slack [tide, water]
- a slack-jawed [hillbilly, yokel]
'slack' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):