down tools


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down tools

To refuse to work, usually in an attempt to force improvement in one's working conditions. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Sir, I'm afraid the workers will down tools if we don't offer them a better contract. If management doesn't take our salary requirements seriously, then we'll just have to down tools! Everyone at the work site has downed tools in an effort to secure better working conditions.
See also: down, tool
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

down tools

or

lay down tools

BRITISH
If a group of people down tools or lay down tools, they stop working, often in order to protest about something. In August, the workers at this shipyard downed tools and went on strike for pay increases. Metal workers, engineers, waiters and cooks are among those who have laid down tools this week.
See also: down, tool
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

down tools

stop work, typically as a form of industrial action. British informal
See also: down, tool
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌdown ˈtools

(British English) stop work, either at the end of the day or to go on strike: The workers have threatened to down tools as a protest against the dismissals.
See also: down, tool
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
FBU members will down tools between noon and 2pm and again from 11pm to midnight each day over the eight-day period.
Firefighters to stage fresh series of strikes
Householders are starting to down tools and turn their backs on DIY, a new report suggests.
More and more say no to DIY
MORE than 200 workers at an engineering plant in Coventry are set to down tools in a bitter row over pay.
Workers set to walk out in row over pay; STRIKE: Feelings are running high, says union leader
SHARABY has appeared to down tools in the past when holding every chance and layers on Betfair expected her to do the same again in the 3.10 at Redcar yesterday when travelling in the front rank approaching the final furlong.
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'Workers did down tools this afternoon, but we are not stopping them going on the march and understand it is a very difficult time for everyone involved.'
Protest pay threat sparks Alstom strike
No drivers will take part in the action but services could still be affected if engineers down tools in the next few weeks - clashing with the busy Glasgow 2014 schedule.
Bus services could be hit by walkout
The enlightened poor are the workers who down tools and demand that the Con/Dem government cease robbing the public sector in cheap sell-offs to the pampered private sector and properly fund the NHS and welfare state from the huge amounts of wealth that ordinary workers have created.
Stand united; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk y
Norman Robertson Newton Aycliffe Co Durham IF Francis Maude brings in the threatened anti-strike laws, every worker in this country should down tools in protest.
You Text; yourletters
Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor and Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic have threatened to down tools if they are denied moves this week.
REBEL WOULD FACE THE CHOP
Centro bus shelter installation teams were forced to down tools and wait for the City Council road workers to repair the pavement.
Bus shelters back at last; SUTTON COLDFIELD
The stand-off started on May 30 after protestors campaigning against a new water supply at Pallaskenry forced workers to down tools.
Shannon demo 5 jail threat
Performing set tasks, they would down tools if one of them got a bigger reward than another.
Denise Robertson column
Workers at Alstom Power are threatening to down tools in the new year over plans to pay loyalty bonuses to only a few of those being made redundant from the Newbold Road plant.
Alstom in talks to avert strike
Trouble started when employees of the Pari Mutuel Hippodrome, the on-course Tote, elected to down tools over pay after a union meeting before the first race.
Longchamp Tote chaos
"The reality is players at our level do not earn enough money to be able to down tools, rest on their laurels and retire from the game.
Williams worried by slump
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