Standby vs. Idle
Difference Between Standby and Idle
Standbynoun
A state of readiness without immediate involvement; remaining in preparation for (a sudden or unforeseen event or situation).
The troops were on standby in case of an attack.Idleadjective
(obsolete) Empty, vacant.
Standbynoun
(electronics) sleep mode
Idleadjective
Not being used appropriately; not occupied; (of time) with no, no important, or not much activity.
idle hoursMy computer hibernates after it has been idle for 30 minutes.Standbynoun
(travel) Waiting at the airport in the hope of getting a seat on a flight that is already booked out.
Idleadjective
Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing in particular.
idle workmenStandbynoun
Something that is standard, well-tested, or frequently used.
That recipe is an old standby, and she keeps the ingredients around in case of unexpected guests.Idleadjective
Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.
an idle fellowStandbyverb
To wait briefly, as for additional communication by radio or telephone; nocap=1
Standby while I check that for you.Idleadjective
Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.
an idle story;idle talk;idle rumorStandbynoun
something that can be relied on when needed
Idleadjective
(obsolete) Light-headed; foolish.
Standbynoun
an actor able to replace a regular performer when required
Idleverb
(transitive) To spend in idleness; to waste; to consume.
Standbyadjective
ready for emergency use;
a standby generatora standby crewIdleverb
(intransitive) To lose or spend time doing nothing, or without being employed in business.
to idle in an IRC channelIdleverb
(intransitive) Of an engine: to run at a slow speed, or out of gear; to tick over.
Idlenoun
(gaming) An idle animation.
Idlenoun
(gaming) An idle game.
Idleverb
run disconnected or idle;
the engine is idlingIdleverb
be idle; exist in a changeless situation;
The old man sat and stagnated on his porchHe slugged in bed all morningIdleadjective
not in action or at work;
an idle laboreridle driftersthe idle richan idle mindIdleadjective
without a basis in reason or fact;
baseless gossipthe allegations proved groundlessidle fearsunfounded suspicionsunwarranted jealousyIdleadjective
not in active use;
the machinery sat idle during the strikeidle handsIdleadjective
silly or trivial;
idle pleasurelight banterlight idle chatterIdleadjective
lacking a sense of restraint or responsibility;
idle talka loose tongueIdleadjective
not yielding a return;
dead capitalidle fundsIdleadjective
not having a job;
idle carpentersjobless transientsmany people in the area were out of work
