When it comes to expressing slowness, there’s something comforting about finding the right words—especially when you’re trying to describe a moment, a person, or even your own pace with warmth and understanding. Whether you’re writing a story, comforting a friend, or simply trying to express your thoughts more clearly, using idioms can make your language feel more authentic, gentle, and meaningful.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 30 thoughtful idioms that help paint a picture of “slow” in ways that feel natural, emotionally intelligent, and human-centered. I’ve used many of these myself—in conversations where empathy mattered most. So let’s take a slow, mindful stroll through language together.
1. At a snail’s pace
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
In a sentence: The traffic crawled at a snail’s pace during rush hour.
Best use: When describing movement that feels frustratingly slow.
Not use: In situations involving fast or efficient motion.
Other ways to say it: like molasses in January, painfully slow
2. Like watching paint dry
Meaning: Something extremely boring and slow.
In a sentence: That lecture was like watching paint dry.
Best use: To describe dull, slow experiences.
Not use: For emotionally engaging or exciting moments.
Other ways to say it: mind-numbingly slow, agonizingly dull
3. Dragging one’s feet
Meaning: Deliberately delaying something.
In a sentence: He’s been dragging his feet about making a decision.
Best use: When someone avoids action intentionally.
Not use: For unintentional slowness.
Other ways to say it: stalling, putting it off
4. In slow motion
Meaning: Happening very slowly, as if time is stretching.
In a sentence: The accident unfolded in slow motion before my eyes.
Best use: For moments of deep observation or emotional weight.
Not use: For actual quick events.
Other ways to say it: time stood still, crawled by
5. Like molasses in January
Meaning: Extremely slow.
In a sentence: My old computer runs like molasses in January.
Best use: To describe sluggishness with a touch of humor.
Not use: In technical or formal writing.
Other ways to say it: glacial, painfully slow
6. Moving at a glacial pace
Meaning: Progressing very slowly.
In a sentence: The project is moving at a glacial pace.
Best use: For slow development, especially in processes.
Not use: For high-energy tasks.
Other ways to say it: taking forever, progressing inch by inch
7. Slower than a turtle
Meaning: Extremely slow, humorously exaggerated.
In a sentence: He runs slower than a turtle!
Best use: Light-hearted comparisons.
Not use: Formal contexts.
Other ways to say it: like a tortoise, snail-like
8. Taking one’s sweet time
Meaning: Moving slowly on purpose, usually without worry.
In a sentence: She’s taking her sweet time getting ready.
Best use: When someone is relaxed or stalling.
Not use: In situations requiring urgency.
Other ways to say it: dawdling, in no rush
9. Pacing oneself
Meaning: Going slow deliberately to conserve energy.
In a sentence: He’s pacing himself for the marathon.
Best use: When slow is smart or strategic.
Not use: To describe laziness.
Other ways to say it: measuring energy, slow and steady
10. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Important things take time.
In a sentence: Don’t rush—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Best use: To encourage patience.
Not use: When immediate action is needed.
Other ways to say it: Good things take time, Patience pays off
11. On a slow burn
Meaning: Developing gradually, often emotionally.
In a sentence: Their relationship was on a slow burn.
Best use: For emotional build-ups.
Not use: Physical slowness.
Other ways to say it: growing steadily, building slowly
12. Inching along
Meaning: Moving slowly, little by little.
In a sentence: The line was inching along.
Best use: Physical or procedural slowness.
Not use: Quick transitions.
Other ways to say it: crawling, barely moving
13. Biding one’s time
Meaning: Waiting patiently for the right moment.
In a sentence: She’s biding her time before applying.
Best use: For calculated, patient delays.
Not use: Random slowness.
Other ways to say it: waiting strategically, holding off
14. Treading water
Meaning: Not making progress.
In a sentence: I feel like I’m treading water at work.
Best use: For stagnation, not movement.
Not use: Physical slow pace.
Other ways to say it: stuck, going in circles
15. At a crawl
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
In a sentence: Traffic was moving at a crawl.
Best use: When movement is nearly halted.
Not use: For moderate speed.
Other ways to say it: crawling along, barely creeping
16. Slow as a sloth
Meaning: Very slow.
In a sentence: That kid is slow as a sloth getting dressed.
Best use: Humorously describing sluggishness.
Not use: Sensitive situations.
Other ways to say it: leisurely, sluggish
17. A long haul
Meaning: Something that takes a long time and effort.
In a sentence: Recovering was a long haul.
Best use: To describe extended effort.
Not use: Quick or easy tasks.
Other ways to say it: marathon, not a sprint
18. In no hurry
Meaning: Calm and not rushing.
In a sentence: I’m in no hurry to leave this moment.
Best use: For relaxed slowness.
Not use: When urgency is needed.
Other ways to say it: taking it slow, enjoying the moment
19. Plodding along
Meaning: Moving or working slowly and steadily.
In a sentence: He’s plodding along with his book.
Best use: When someone is persistent despite the pace.
Not use: For rapid actions.
Other ways to say it: steadily moving, keeping on
20. Taking baby steps
Meaning: Making small progress.
In a sentence: We’re taking baby steps toward healing.
Best use: For slow personal growth.
Not use: Sudden or drastic change.
Other ways to say it: step-by-step, gradual progress
21. Going at a crawl
Meaning: Moving very slowly.
In a sentence: The network is going at a crawl again.
Best use: Describing delays in performance.
Not use: Human emotions.
Other ways to say it: lagging, slow going
22. In dribs and drabs
Meaning: Coming in small, slow amounts.
In a sentence: The donations came in dribs and drabs.
Best use: Irregular, slow occurrences.
Not use: Consistent speed.
Other ways to say it: bit by bit, a trickle
23. Slow to warm up
Meaning: Taking time to adjust.
In a sentence: He’s slow to warm up, but kind.
Best use: Personality or social comfort.
Not use: Physical speed.
Other ways to say it: reserved at first, gradual engagement
24. Not rushing it
Meaning: Taking time, intentionally.
In a sentence: I’m not rushing it—I want to do it right.
Best use: Encouraging patience.
Not use: When speed is crucial.
Other ways to say it: taking care, going steady
25. Like a broken record
Meaning: Repeating slowly and tediously.
In a sentence: He sounded like a broken record.
Best use: Repetitive, slow speech or actions.
Not use: Fast change or spontaneity.
Other ways to say it: repetitive, monotonous
26. At a turtle’s pace
Meaning: Extremely slow.
In a sentence: She’s learning at a turtle’s pace, but learning well.
Best use: Emphasizing slow but sure progress.
Not use: High urgency contexts.
Other ways to say it: step by step, no rush
27. Crawling out of bed
Meaning: Getting up slowly.
In a sentence: I was crawling out of bed after a long night.
Best use: Early mornings, low energy.
Not use: Alert, energetic waking.
Other ways to say it: rolling out slowly, dragging myself up
28. Moving like a sloth
Meaning: Being very slow and inactive.
In a sentence: After lunch, I was moving like a sloth.
Best use: Post-meal sluggishness or tired days.
Not use: Serious topics.
Other ways to say it: barely moving, lethargic
29. Letting it simmer
Meaning: Allowing time for things to develop.
In a sentence: I’m letting it simmer before I react.
Best use: Emotional processing or decision-making.
Not use: Immediate response needed.
Other ways to say it: sitting with it, giving it space
30. Just coasting
Meaning: Moving slowly without effort.
In a sentence: Lately, I’ve been just coasting through the days.
Best use: For relaxed or unmotivated phases.
Not use: Focused or intense efforts.
Other ways to say it: taking it easy, gliding along
FAQs About Idioms for Slow
1. Why use idioms to describe slowness?
Idioms add color, warmth, and clarity to your language, making even “slow” feel nuanced and kind.
2. Are idioms appropriate in formal writing?
Use idioms with care in formal writing—they’re best for conversational, creative, or empathetic settings.
3. What’s the difference between “dragging your feet” and “taking your time”?
“Dragging your feet” implies avoidance, while “taking your time” suggests careful patience.
4. How can I use these idioms in daily conversation?
Practice makes it natural. Try using them in texts, emails, or stories to start.
5. Can idioms be misunderstood across cultures?
Yes. Always consider context and audience—some idioms may not translate well.
Conclusion
Whether you’re describing your own pace or trying to understand someone else’s, language matters. These 30 idioms for slow give you a richer way to connect, reflect, and express with warmth, care, and intentionality.
From personal experience, I’ve found that taking the time to choose the right words—especially when things feel slow—can create space for empathy, patience, and understanding. And honestly? That’s something we all need a little more of.
