Have you ever heard someone say, “You’re as slow as molasses”? Or maybe you’ve been called a “slowpoke” once or twice?
Idioms like these are used to describe slowness in a fun and creative way. In this article, we’ll explore a list of idioms for slow, helping you understand their meanings and providing examples of how to use them in sentences.
What is an idiom for slow?
Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a different meaning than what the individual words suggest.
They often rely on cultural or historical context to be understood. Here, we’ll delve into idioms related to slowness and break down their meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Slow as molasses | Extremely slow; moving at a sluggish pace | The traffic in the city during rush hour was as slow as molasses. |
| Slow as a snail | Exceptionally slow | He was slow as a snail when it came to finishing his homework. |
| Slowpoke | Someone slow in actions or decision-making | Come on, don’t be such a slowpoke! We need to get going. |
| Slow and steady wins the race | Consistency leads to success | His slow and steady approach helped him win the marathon. |
| Slow as a turtle | Very slow-moving | The line at the DMV was slow as a turtle; I had to wait for hours. |
| Slow as cold molasses in January | Painfully slow | The old computer was slow as cold molasses in January. |
| Slow as a glacier | Moving at a glacial pace | Changes in bureaucracy often happen as slow as a glacier. |
| Slow as a sloth | Emphasizing laziness and slowness | On weekends, I like to be as slow as a sloth, taking my time. |
| Slow as a slug | Extremely sluggish | The internet connection was slow as a slug, impossible to stream. |
| Slow as a dodo | Describing something or someone outdated | Using a typewriter feels as slow as a dodo in the digital age. |
| Slow as a herd of turtles | Emphasizing extreme slowness | The group’s progress was as slow as a herd of turtles. |
| Slow as a tortoise | Slow and steady pace | His writing progress was slow as a tortoise, but he finished. |
| Slow as a cow in labor | Painfully slow | The construction seemed as slow as a cow in labor, causing delays. |
| Slow as a three-toed sloth | Stressing extreme slowness | The administrative process was as slow as a three-toed sloth. |
| Slow as a garden snail | Very slow-moving | The line at the amusement park was slow as a garden snail. |
| Slow as a wet week | Emphasizing an extended period of slowness | Waiting for her response felt as slow as a wet week. |
| Slow as treacle | Extremely slow | The bureaucracy was as slow as treacle, frustrating citizens. |
| Slow as a weary traveler | Slow due to weariness or exhaustion | After work, he climbed the stairs as slow as a weary traveler. |
| Slow as a sloth in syrup | Emphasizing extreme slowness humorously | The computer’s response time was slow as a sloth in syrup. |
| Slow as a steamroller in a traffic jam | Emphasizing extreme slowness humorously | Getting through airport security felt as slow as a steamroller. |
| Slow as Christmas | Referring to something as slow as the holiday season | The package’s arrival was as slow as Christmas. |
| Slow as an old dog | Slow due to age or lack of energy | The car, though reliable, was slow as an old dog in acceleration. |
| Slow as a Sunday drive | Slower than usual | The construction progress was slow as a Sunday drive. |
| Slow as a week in jail | Agonizingly slow period | Waiting for the test results felt as slow as a week in jail. |
| Slow as a constipated tortoise | Emphasizing extreme slowness humorously | The internet speed was as slow as a constipated tortoise. |
| Slow as a tired tortoise in a turtleneck sweater | Playfully emphasizing slowness | His movements were as slow as a tired tortoise in a turtleneck sweater. |
| Slow as a sleeping elephant | Extremely slow-moving | The progress on the construction site was as slow as a sleeping elephant. |
Slow is like a snail’s pace, where progress inches forward at a leisurely and deliberate tempo, as if time itself has decided to take a breather. For more comparisons to describe slowness, you can check this link: Similes for slow. And for a variety of metaphors related to slowness, you can explore this link: Metaphors for slow.
Idioms for Slow
1. Slow as molasses
Meaning: Extremely slow; moving at a very sluggish pace.
In a Sentence: The traffic in the city during rush hour was as slow as molasses, and it took hours to get home.
2. Slow as a snail
Meaning: Moving at the pace of a snail, which is exceptionally slow.
In a Sentence: He was slow as a snail when it came to finishing his homework, always taking his time.
3. Slowpoke
Meaning: A term used to describe someone who is slow in their actions or decision-making.
In a Sentence: Come on, don’t be such a slowpoke! We need to get going if we want to catch the movie on time.
4. Slow and steady wins the race
Meaning: Emphasizes that being methodical and consistent, even if slow, can lead to success in the end.
In a Sentence: While he wasn’t the fastest runner, his slow and steady approach helped him win the marathon.
5. Slow as a turtle
Meaning: Describing someone or something that moves very slowly, akin to the pace of a turtle.
In a Sentence: The line at the DMV was moving as slow as a turtle, and I had to wait for hours.
6. Slow as cold molasses in January
Meaning: Extremely and painfully slow; emphasizing the slowness even further.
In a Sentence: The old computer was slow as cold molasses in January, and it took forever to load anything.
7. Slow as a glacier
Meaning: Comparing something to the pace of a glacier, which moves incredibly slowly over time.
In a Sentence: Changes in the bureaucracy often happen as slow as a glacier, frustrating many.
8. Slow as a sloth
Meaning: Emphasizing the laziness and slowness of an action or individual, like the famously slow-moving sloth.
In a Sentence: On weekends, I like to be as slow as a sloth, taking my time to relax.
9. Slow as a slug
Meaning: Referring to someone or something that is moving at an exceptionally sluggish pace.
In a Sentence: The internet connection was slow as a slug, making it impossible to stream videos.
10. Slow as a dodo
Meaning: Describing something or someone as obsolete and outdated, just like the extinct dodo bird.
In a Sentence: Using a typewriter in the digital age feels as slow as a dodo.
11. Slow as a herd of turtles
Meaning: Highlighting extreme slowness by comparing it to a group of turtles moving together.
In a Sentence: The group’s progress through the dense forest was as slow as a herd of turtles.
12. Slow as a tortoise
Meaning: Comparing something or someone to the pace of a tortoise, which is known for being slow and steady.
In a Sentence: His writing progress was slow as a tortoise, but he eventually finished the novel.
13. Slow as a cow in labor
Meaning: Emphasizing an excruciatingly slow pace, often used humorously.
In a Sentence: The construction of the new bridge seemed as slow as a cow in labor, causing traffic delays for months.
14. Slow as a three-toed sloth
Meaning: Stressing extreme slowness by comparing it to the leisurely pace of a three-toed sloth.
In a Sentence: The administrative process was as slow as a three-toed sloth, frustrating everyone involved.
15. Slow as a garden snail
Meaning: Describing something or someone moving at a snail’s pace, which is very slow.
In a Sentence: The line at the amusement park moved as slow as a garden snail on a rainy day.
16. Slow as a wet week
Meaning: Emphasizing an extended period of slowness, akin to a week of continuous rain.
In a Sentence: Waiting for her to respond to my message felt as slow as a wet week.
17. Slow as treacle
Meaning: Referring to something or someone moving at an extremely slow pace, like thick treacle syrup.
In a Sentence: The bureaucracy of the government was as slow as treacle, frustrating citizens.
18. Slow as a weary traveler
Meaning: Describing someone or something that moves slowly due to exhaustion or weariness.
In a Sentence: After a long day at work, he climbed the stairs to his apartment as slow as a weary traveler.
19. Slow as a sloth in syrup
Meaning: Stressing an exceptionally slow pace by combining two slow elements – a sloth and syrup.
In a Sentence: The computer’s response time was as slow as a sloth in syrup, making work unbearable.
20. Slow as a steamroller in a traffic jam
Meaning: Highlighting an unusually slow pace by combining two slow scenarios – a steamroller and a traffic jam.
In a Sentence: Getting through the airport security line felt as slow as a steamroller in a traffic jam.
21. Slow as Christmas
Meaning: Referring to something or someone moving at a pace as slow as the holiday season.
In a Sentence: The arrival of the package was as slow as Christmas, and I couldn’t wait any longer.
22. Slow as an old dog
Meaning: Describing something or someone as moving slowly due to old age or lack of energy.
In a Sentence: The car, though reliable, was as slow as an old dog when it came to acceleration.
23. Slow as a Sunday drive
Meaning: Comparing something to the leisurely pace of a Sunday drive, which is often slower than usual.
In a Sentence: The progress on the construction site was as slow as a Sunday drive on a country road.
24. Slow as a week in jail
Meaning: Stressing an agonizingly slow period of time by comparing it to a week spent in jail.
In a Sentence: Waiting for the test results felt as slow as a week in jail, filled with anxiety.
25. Slow as a constipated tortoise
Meaning: Emphasizing extreme slowness with a humorous touch, likening it to a constipated tortoise.
In a Sentence: The internet speed was as slow as a constipated tortoise, causing frustration among users.
26. Slow as a tired tortoise in a turtleneck sweater
Meaning: Playfully emphasizing slowness by adding the image of a tired tortoise in a turtleneck sweater.
In a Sentence: After a long day, his movements were as slow as a tired tortoise in a turtleneck sweater.
27. Slow as a sleeping elephant
Meaning: Describing something or someone moving at an extremely slow pace, like a sleeping elephant.
In a Sentence: The progress on the construction site was as slow as a sleeping elephant, but it eventually got completed.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Here are 10 quiz questions about the idioms for slow mentioned in the article:
Quiz 1: Slow as Molasses
- What does the idiom “Slow as molasses” mean?
a) Moving quickly
b) Moving at a sluggish pace
c) Moving at the speed of light
Quiz 2: Slow as a Snail
- What does the expression “Slow as a snail” suggest?
a) Moving very fast
b) Moving at an exceptionally slow pace
c) Moving like a sprinter
Quiz 3: What Does “Slowpoke” Mean?
- How would you define the term “Slowpoke”?
a) Someone who is quick to make decisions
b) Someone who is slow in their actions or decision-making
c) Someone who is always in a hurry
Quiz 4: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
- What message does the idiom “Slow and steady wins the race” convey?
a) Speed is essential for success
b) Consistency and persistence lead to success
c) Rushing is the key to winning
Quiz 5: Slow as a Turtle
- How would you describe something or someone that is “Slow as a turtle”?
a) Exceptionally fast
b) Very slow-moving
c) As quick as lightning
Quiz 6: Slow as Cold Molasses in January
- What is emphasized by the idiom “Slow as cold molasses in January”?
a) Fast-paced action
b) Painfully slow movement
c) Moderate speed
Quiz 7: Slow as a Sloth
- What aspect of slowness is stressed by the phrase “Slow as a sloth”?
a) Quickness
b) Laziness and slowness
c) Rapid movement
Quiz 8: Slow as a Slug
- How would you describe something that is “Slow as a slug”?
a) Moving at an exceptionally fast pace
b) Moving at an extremely sluggish pace
c) Moving smoothly and swiftly
Quiz 9: Slow as a Dodo
- What does it mean when something is described as “Slow as a dodo”?
a) Modern and efficient
b) Outdated and slow
c) Quick and agile
Quiz 10: Slow as a Herd of Turtles
- What does the expression “Slow as a herd of turtles” emphasize?
a) Rapid progress
b) Extreme slowness
c) Effortless speed
Feel free to use these quiz questions to test your knowledge or the knowledge of others about the idioms related to slowness discussed in the article.
Conclusion
Idioms for slow add a creative and often humorous touch to our language when describing slowness. From comparing someone’s pace to molasses or snails to playfully exaggerating with phrases like “slow as a constipated tortoise,” these expressions make our conversations more colorful.
