Finding the right expression for slowness adds depth to your communication—whether you’re describing a person’s pace, a delayed process, or a thoughtful moment. Idioms for slow can help convey frustration, calmness, suspense, or emphasis in a more vivid way than ordinary vocabulary.
Let’s explore 25 creative and meaningful idioms for slow, complete with definitions, examples, tones, and variations.
What Does “Idioms for Slow” Mean?
“Idioms for slow” are figurative phrases that describe sluggish movement, delayed action, or gradual progress. These idioms often evoke imagery, personality, or emotion, helping speakers express slowness with flair and feeling.
When to Use “Idioms for Slow”
Use idioms for slow when you want to:
- Describe someone taking their time deliberately
- Highlight inefficiency or delays
- Express calm, peace, or thoughtfulness
- Add humor or frustration in storytelling
- Capture suspense or hesitation
Pros and Cons of Idioms for Slow
✅ Pros
- Adds personality and style
- Captures tone (humor, calm, irritation)
- Enhances creative writing
❌ Cons
- May confuse non-native speakers
- Risk of being too informal
- Can be cliché if overused
1. Slow as molasses 🐢
Definition: Moving very slowly
Example: The old computer is slow as molasses on cold mornings.
Best Use: Highlighting frustration with delay
Tone: Humorous, irritated
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Like watching paint dry
- Moving at a snail’s pace
- Dragging its feet
2. At a snail’s pace 🐌
Definition: Progressing extremely slowly
Example: The line at the DMV moved at a snail’s pace.
Best Use: Describing a literal or figurative delay
Tone: Light complaint
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Turtle speed
- Slower than slow
- Creeping along
3. Like watching paint dry 🎨
Definition: So slow it’s boring
Example: That documentary was like watching paint dry.
Best Use: Describing dull or slow experiences
Tone: Sarcastic, funny
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Mind-numbing
- Sluggish beyond belief
- Painfully slow
4. Dragging one’s feet 🦶
Definition: Deliberately delaying action
Example: He’s dragging his feet on making a decision.
Best Use: Showing hesitation or procrastination
Tone: Critical, passive
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Stalling
- Taking sweet time
- Holding things up
5. In no hurry ⏳
Definition: Relaxed and unhurried
Example: She’s in no hurry to finish her book.
Best Use: Conveying peace or casualness
Tone: Calm, chill
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Taking it easy
- Going with the flow
- Moving at their own pace
6. Take one’s sweet time 🍬
Definition: Move or act very slowly, often to annoy
Example: He took his sweet time getting ready for the party.
Best Use: Highlighting someone’s deliberate slowness
Tone: Teasing, annoyed
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Lollygagging
- Dawdling
- Not in a rush
7. Move at a crawl 🐛
Definition: Very slow movement
Example: The traffic moved at a crawl all morning.
Best Use: Physical slowness or delay
Tone: Irritated or factual
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Creeping forward
- Barely moving
- Snailing forward
8. As slow as a turtle 🐢
Definition: Extremely slow
Example: My internet is as slow as a turtle today!
Best Use: Joking about tech or people
Tone: Light, funny
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Tortoise-paced
- Internet lag mode
- Like a frozen robot
9. Taking forever ⏰
Definition: Taking an unreasonable amount of time
Example: She’s taking forever to reply to the message.
Best Use: Common in casual conversation
Tone: Exaggerated, frustrated
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Never-ending
- Still waiting
- So slow
10. Like molasses in January ❄️
Definition: Unusually slow, especially in cold conditions
Example: His old car runs like molasses in January.
Best Use: Describing old or inefficient machines
Tone: Rural, humorous
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Ice-slow
- Sluggish
- Cold drag
11. In slow motion 🎥
Definition: Moving gradually or unusually slow
Example: It felt like time was moving in slow motion during the speech.
Best Use: Emotional or dramatic moments
Tone: Reflective, surreal
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Like time froze
- Caught in a moment
- Every second counts
12. Not in a rush 🧘♂️
Definition: Showing no urgency
Example: He’s not in a rush to leave the countryside.
Best Use: Positive or peaceful settings
Tone: Calm, peaceful
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Laid-back attitude
- Easygoing speed
- Leisurely stroll
13. Take it slow 🐾
Definition: Proceed carefully and gradually
Example: Let’s take it slow and not jump into conclusions.
Best Use: Personal advice, cautious action
Tone: Caring, thoughtful
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Go steady
- Ease into it
- No need to hurry
14. As slow as Christmas 🎄
Definition: A long wait or delay
Example: This flight check-in line is as slow as Christmas.
Best Use: Expressing boredom while waiting
Tone: Sarcastic, informal
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Endless delay
- Feels like forever
- Waiting for Santa
15. Plodding along 👞
Definition: Moving slowly but steadily
Example: The team was plodding along, getting little done each day.
Best Use: Progress that lacks urgency
Tone: Neutral or slightly critical
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Slow and steady
- One foot at a time
- Grinding through
16. Lagging behind 🏃♂️
Definition: Falling behind due to slowness
Example: She’s always lagging behind the rest of the class.
Best Use: Performance-related contexts
Tone: Competitive or disappointed
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Trailing
- Losing pace
- Playing catch-up
17. Killing time ⌛
Definition: Wasting or passing time idly
Example: We were just killing time before our movie.
Best Use: Waiting periods
Tone: Casual or light-hearted
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Passing the hours
- Filling the gap
- Doing nothing
18. Take forever and a day ⏳
Definition: Taking an extremely long time
Example: He took forever and a day to fix the sink.
Best Use: Comedic exaggeration
Tone: Humorous, exaggerated
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Eternally late
- Never on time
- Longest wait
19. Moving like a glacier ❄️
Definition: Moving painfully slow
Example: The negotiations are moving like a glacier.
Best Use: Bureaucracy or slow systems
Tone: Sarcastic, dramatic
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Glacial speed
- Frozen in time
- Crawling forward
20. Taking the scenic route 🚗
Definition: Taking a slower, longer path on purpose
Example: We’re taking the scenic route and enjoying the view.
Best Use: Describing intentional slowness
Tone: Peaceful, intentional
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Enjoying the journey
- Not rushing
- Wandering
21. Stretching it out 🧶
Definition: Extending time unnecessarily
Example: He’s stretching it out just to avoid work.
Best Use: Describing procrastination
Tone: Frustrated or observational
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Dragging things on
- Making it last
- Avoiding the end
22. Inching forward 🐜
Definition: Progressing little by little
Example: The company is inching forward with new policies.
Best Use: Describing slow but steady progress
Tone: Optimistic or patient
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Bit by bit
- Slowly progressing
- Crawling ahead
23. Taking a leisurely pace 🧺
Definition: Moving or doing something slowly and enjoyably
Example: They walked at a leisurely pace through the park.
Best Use: Peaceful or romantic moments
Tone: Calm, gentle
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Relaxed tempo
- No rush
- Strolling style
24. Moving like a sloth 🦥
Definition: Very slow and lazy
Example: He moves like a sloth on Monday mornings.
Best Use: Funny or playful criticism
Tone: Teasing, humorous
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Super sluggish
- Monday mode
- Barely alive
25. Crawling at a snail’s pace 🐌
Definition: Extremely slow
Example: This project is crawling at a snail’s pace.
Best Use: Emphasizing extreme delay
Tone: Frustrated or dramatic
3 Other Ways to Say It:
- Barely crawling
- Moving like syrup
- Stuck in first gear
🎯 Practice Exercise: MCQs
1. “Dragging one’s feet” means:
a) Running fast
b) Delaying action ✅
c) Feeling tired
d) Getting excited
2. “Slow as molasses” is best used for:
a) Describing someone who is sneaky
b) Describing someone who is fast
c) Describing very slow movement ✅
d) Explaining sweet taste
3. “Like watching paint dry” suggests:
a) High excitement
b) Slow boredom ✅
c) Sticky walls
d) Careful painting
4. “Inching forward” means:
a) Running fast
b) Making large progress
c) Making small progress ✅
d) Taking steps back
5. “Take it slow” is advice to:
a) Rush into things
b) Be cautious ✅
c) Avoid speaking
d) Speed up
6. “Plodding along” implies:
a) Speedy enthusiasm
b) Steady, slow progress ✅
c) Going backward
d) Laziness
7. “At a snail’s pace” means:
a) Smooth movement
b) Erratic movement
c) Extremely slow ✅
d) Racing
8. “Killing time” means:
a) Being productive
b) Passing time idly ✅
c) Hurting someone
d) Setting goals
9. “Lagging behind” refers to:
a) Leading the group
b) Finishing quickly
c) Falling behind ✅
d) Skipping work
10. “Taking the scenic route” implies:
a) Finding a shortcut
b) Avoiding work
c) Choosing a slow but beautiful path ✅
d) Getting lost
✅ MCQ Answers Key:
- b) Delaying action ✅
- c) Describing very slow movement ✅
- b) Slow boredom ✅
- c) Making small progress ✅
- b) Be cautious ✅
- b) Steady, slow progress ✅
- c) Extremely slow ✅
- b) Passing time idly ✅
- c) Falling behind ✅
- c) Choosing a slow but beautiful path ✅
✅ Conclusion
Idioms for slow offer powerful, human-centered ways to express emotions ranging from patience to frustration, and from peace to procrastination. Whether you’re describing someone’s behavior, slow technology, or a lazy afternoon, these idioms give your language warmth, depth, and character. Use them wisely to bring storytelling, conversation, or writing to life—just don’t overdo it!
❓ FAQs About Idioms for Slow
1. What are idioms for slow used for in everyday language?
Idioms for slow help describe moments that move gently, take time, or unfold at a relaxed pace. They’re often used to add color, emotion, and depth to your speech or writing when describing anything from a lazy afternoon to a slow decision-making process.
2. Can idioms for slow be used in professional settings?
Yes—when used thoughtfully. Phrases like “slow and steady wins the race” or “at a snail’s pace” can add personality to meetings or emails. However, it’s best to avoid overly casual idioms in formal or technical documents.
3. Are idioms for slow suitable for storytelling or creative writing?
Absolutely! These idioms can paint vivid scenes, build atmosphere, and convey the mood of a moment. For example, saying “he moved like molasses in winter” is much more engaging than just saying “he was slow.”
4. Do idioms for slow always have a negative meaning?
Not at all. Many idioms, such as “taking the scenic route” or “slow and steady wins the race,” suggest patience, wisdom, and care. It depends on the context and tone you’re aiming for.
5. How can I learn to use these idioms naturally in conversation?
Start by choosing a few that match your personality or daily situations. Use them in texts, journaling, or while talking to friends. With regular use, these expressions will start to feel natural and expressive.
