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become idle

[bɪˈkʌm ˈaɪdəl]
verb phrase
ficar ocioso
1. to stop working or being active; to enter a state of inactivity
The factory will become idle if orders don't increase.
A fábrica ficará ociosa se os pedidos não aumentarem.
2. to be unemployed or without occupation
Many workers became idle during the economic recession.
Muitos trabalhadores ficaram ociosos durante a recessão econômica.
Synonyms
become inactivecease workingstand idlelie dormantgo unused
Antonyms
become activestart workingengage in activityremain busy

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ficar ocioso
most common expression
General Brazilian
parar de trabalhar
more colloquial alternative
Portugal
ficar inativo
preferred in formal contexts
Portugal
entrar em repouso
used for machinery or equipment

Related Idioms & Phrases

gather dust
rust away
sit on the shelf
go to seed
lie fallow
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