Macmillan Dictionary

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Lack of action or activity

inaction

noun

the failure to do anything, especially when you should do something

avoidance

noun

the practice or policy of avoiding someone or something

standstill

noun

a situation in which something stops moving or happening

evasion

noun

the practice of avoiding doing something that you should do

inertia

noun

a situation in which no progress is made or no action is taken

delay

noun

failure to do something quickly

stagnation

noun

a situation in which there is no progress or development

suspended animation

noun

a situation in which someone feels they cannot be active because they must wait for something to happen

sidestep

noun

a deafening silence

a serious failure to say or do something in reaction to a request or action

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

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neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

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