Idioms · 4 entries

Relaxation

What does "Relaxation" mean?

A work day which an employee is allowed to spend at home relaxing.

Duvet day

Britain, 1990s.

Man cave

USA, late 20th century.

Rest up

USA, 19th century.

Veg out

Britain, late 20th century.

Entry 1

Duvet day

Meaning A work day which an employee is allowed to spend at home relaxing.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

We'd all worked so hard getting the latest design out on time the boss rewarded us with a duvet day to do whatever we wanted.

Pronunciation

Entry 2

Man cave

Meaning A shed or some other retreat that men decorate in the way they choose (with or without their male friends) and use to relax in traditional male pursuits.

Usage Worldwide. A fairly recent coinage but spreading rapidly around the world.

Example

After I retired Sheila was getting so fed up with me being around the house that she made me turn the outhouse into a man cave. Now the guys come round each afternoon to play cards and watch tv and I've made a sculpture out of beer cans.

Pronunciation

Entry 3

Rest up

Meaning Take a break from one's efforts.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

You did well to get this far in the marathon before collapsing. Rest up now and wait for the paramedics to get here.

Pronunciation

Entry 4

Veg out

Meaning Relax in a slothful manner, usually watching tv while lying on a sofa - (that is, become a 'couch-potato').

Usage Worldwide, but most commonly restricted to the under 40s.

Example

Such a stressful time at work this week. Come Friday night all I was good for was to veg out binge watching Friends.

Pronunciation