C1nounworkmoney
US/slæk/
UK/slæk/
work that others have not done, or spare time, money or capacity that is not being used
In context
When two colleagues left, the rest of us had to pick up the slack.
There is very little slack in our budget, so every expense must be approved.
Online sales have taken up the slack from falling shop sales.
Words that go with slack
verb + noun
- pick up the slackFreelancers were hired to pick up the slack during the busy season.
- take up the slackExports may take up the slack if local demand stays weak.
noun + preposition
- slack inEconomists say there is still slack in the job market.
adjective + noun
- little slackTight deadlines leave little slack for mistakes.
- economic slackEconomic slack keeps wages from rising quickly.