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do-little

American  
[doo-lit-l] / ˈduˌlɪt l /

noun

  1. a lazy person; one who does little but does not admit to it.


Etymology

Origin of do-little

First recorded in 1580–90; do 1 ( def. ) + little ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For many years, postal reform was the poster child of a do-little Congress.

From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2016

When he ran for reëlection, in 2014, the Los Angeles Times editorial board preceded its endorsement of him by calling the position a “notoriously do-little job.”

From The New Yorker • Feb. 12, 2015

The dignified, do-little Council of Europe is the unofficial talking box of Europe's elder statesmen and orators.

From Time Magazine Archive

Budge, a former Idaho Congressman and judge, had a predisposition to move cautiously that caused some Wall Streeters to dismiss him as a do-little regulator, but he will leave with some accomplishments to his credit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Next came, "Dear, dainty, do-little Dorothy was there."

From Marjorie's Busy Days by Wells, Carolyn