go-slow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “go-slow” mean?
A form of industrial action in which employees deliberately work at a slower pace to reduce productivity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of industrial action in which employees deliberately work at a slower pace to reduce productivity.
Any instance of deliberately proceeding slowly, often to express protest, to delay, or to be cautious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'go-slow' is the standard term for this type of industrial action. In American English, the term 'slowdown' or 'work-to-rule' is more common.
Connotations
In British contexts, it carries clear connotations of organized labour protest. In American use, it may sound like a Britishism.
Frequency
High frequency in UK news/media; low frequency in US, where 'slowdown' is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “go-slow” in a Sentence
[Union] + declared + a go-slowWorkers + are staging + a go-slow over + [dispute]The + go-slow + is affecting + [services]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “go-slow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The postal workers have decided to go slow until their pay claim is met.
- If management doesn't listen, we'll go slow next week.
American English
- (Less common) The union is telling members to go slow on the assembly line.
adjective
British English
- The go-slow action at the ports is causing major shipping delays.
- They're engaged in a go-slow protest.
American English
- The slowdown action has halted production. (Using 'slowdown' as modifier)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR and management contexts to describe disruptive labour tactics.
Academic
Found in industrial relations, sociology, and economics papers.
Everyday
Common in news reports about strikes and transport delays.
Technical
Specific term in employment law and union negotiations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “go-slow”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “go-slow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “go-slow”
- Using it as a general adjective for a lazy person ("He's a bit go-slow").
- Using it without an article ("Workers started go-slow"). Correct: "started a go-slow".
- Confusing it with 'slow-going' which describes something difficult or time-consuming.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In a strike, workers completely stop work. In a go-slow, they continue to work but at a deliberately reduced pace or with excessive adherence to rules, reducing output without technically stopping work.
Very rarely. Its core meaning is industrial action. Metaphorical use (e.g., "the government's go-slow on the issue") is possible but not common; 'delaying tactic' or 'foot-dragging' are more typical.
"Slowdown" is the most direct equivalent. "Work-to-rule" is also related but implies following all rules exactly to slow progress, rather than just working slowly.
Primarily as a countable noun (a go-slow, the go-slows). The unhyphenated verbal phrase 'to go slow' (e.g., The workers will go slow) is also used, especially in UK English.
A form of industrial action in which employees deliberately work at a slower pace to reduce productivity.
Go-slow is usually formal/journalistic in register.
Go-slow: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡəʊ ˈsləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡoʊ ˈsloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go slow on something”
- “Put the brakes on”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of traffic: a 'GO' sign means proceed, but a 'GO-SLOW' sign means proceed very cautiously, like workers deliberately reducing pace.
Conceptual Metaphor
LABOUR PROTEST IS A REDUCED SPEED OF OPERATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'go-slow' MOST appropriately used?