do-nothing

[ doo-nuhth-ing ]

noun

1. a person who chooses to do nothing; a lazy or worthless person.

adjective

1. characterized by inability or unwillingness to initiate action, work toward a goal, assume responsibility, or the like:

   a do-nothing government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of do-nothing¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

The blogosphere is afire with outrage: A rich do-nothing given probation for raping his three-year-old daughter!

From The Daily Beast

At this point any long-term congressional incumbent like Lewis should answer for the do-nothing House.

From The Daily Beast

So why did the short, do-nothing opinions in the UT case take over eight months to write?

From The Daily Beast

Confronting the legacy of the Do-Nothing 112th Congress as the least effective since the 1940s is also a corrective.

From The Daily Beast

Remember when the big idea in Obamaland was to run against the do-nothing Congress?

From The Daily Beast

Malthus was not a thoroughgoing supporter of the 'do-nothing' doctrine.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps he'll be buying embroidered fronts next, if he goes into that idle, do-nothing House of Commons.

From Project Gutenberg

Brewery chimneys are better than a do-nothing scamp that can't earn a meal for himself or his children.

From Project Gutenberg

He had been called a dawdler and a trifler and a do-nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

The work of Anquetil was in their library; but the series of "do-nothing kings" amused them very little.

From Project Gutenberg