General
skate
What does skate mean?
To avoid real work by always having something else to do or an easier duty; as an adjective, a job that is cushy and low-effort.
"He always manages to skate on cleanup day."
Origin
US Marine Corps and broader military slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'skate' mean in military slang?
To dodge real work by always having an easier duty or a convenient excuse. As an adjective, a 'skate' job is a cushy, low-effort assignment.
Where does 'skate' come from?
It's US Marine Corps and broader military slang, picturing someone gliding past the hard work.
How do you use 'skate'?
As a verb for avoiding work, e.g. 'He always skates on cleanup day,' or as an adjective, 'That's a skate detail.'
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.