idle
adjective
uk/ˈaɪdl/ us PRODUCTION, WORKPLACE
not operating or not being used:
stand/lie/remain idle As more factories in the city stood idle, workers started leaving.
FINANCE
used to describe assets that are not earning money or interest, or not earning enough:
If you've got a few thousand pounds lying idle in a savings account, think about paying off part of your mortgage or credit card debts.
idle cash/capital/funds These idle funds can be invested on the money market.
HR, WORKPLACE
unemployed, or not working on a job:
More than 22,913 assembly workers remained idle because of continued shortages of imported parts.
idle
verb [ T ]
US uk/ˈaɪdl/ us PRODUCTION, HR
to stop using your employees, factory, machines etc., for example because you do not have enough work for them to do:
Lack of demand forced the automaker to idle two more plants on Monday.