Discover creative and polite ways to express the concept of not working without saying “don’t work.”
Finding alternative phrases to say “don’t work” can help you sound more professional or polite in conversations. It’s often necessary to switch up language to match different situations, whether at work or in casual conversation. In this blog post, we’ll explore 35 other ways to express “don’t work,” giving you flexibility in communication.
If you’re tired of repeating the same phrase and want to smooth out your communication, this list is for you. These phrases will help you be clear, yet polite or even humorous, depending on the context. Ready to level up your communication? Keep reading for some insightful tips!
From technical issues to casual interactions, having alternatives to “don’t work” will make your speech and writing more engaging. You’ll also learn how to adjust your tone based on who you’re talking to. Now, let’s dive into 35 new ways to say “don’t work.”
35 Alternative Phrases to Say “Don’t Work”
- Not functioning
- Broken down
- On the fritz
- Malfunctioning
- Kaput
- Down for maintenance
- Deactivated
- Unresponsive
- Inoperative
- Glitched
- Faulty
- Unavailable
- Non-functional
- Disabled
- Busted
- Shut down
- Not operational
- Defective
- Out of commission
- Down and out
- Unusable
- Frozen
- In disrepair
- Under the weather (for people)
- Gone haywire
- In need of fixing
- Beyond repair
- Out of action
- Compromised
- Clunky
- Unavailable for use
- Needs servicing
- Temporarily down
- Unfit for use
1. Out of order
People commonly use this phrase for machinery or systems that are not working. It’s direct and easy to understand.
Example: “The vending machine is out of order today, so you’ll have to get snacks elsewhere.”
2. Not functioning
A more formal way to say something isn’t working. It’s suitable for emails or professional settings.
Example: “The printer is not functioning at the moment; please use the one upstairs.”
3. Broken down
People often use this phrase for cars or larger machines that have completely stopped working.
Example: “Our car broke down on the way to the meeting, so we had to call for help.”
4. On the fritz
A casual, slightly humorous way to say something is not working. It’s great for informal conversations.
Example: “My computer is on the fritz again. I think it’s time for an upgrade.”
5. Malfunctioning
A more technical term that suggests the equipment isn’t functioning properly but may not be completely broken.
Example: “The air conditioning unit is malfunctioning and needs a technician to look at it.”
6. Kaput
A slang term describes something that is completely broken or useless. It has a playful tone.
Example: “The dishwasher is kaput. We’ll have to hand wash the dishes for now.”
7. Down for maintenance
Used when something is temporarily shut off for repairs or updates. It’s common with websites or systems.
Example: “The website is down for maintenance, but it will be back up by 3 PM.”
8. Deactivated
Systems or accounts often intentionally turned off can be easily fixed by reactivating them.
Example: “The software was deactivated for updates, but it will be working soon.”
9. Unresponsive
Tech professionals frequently use this term when a device or program fails to respond to commands or inputs.
Example: “My phone has become unresponsive, and I need to restart it.”
10. Inoperative
A formal term used to describe something that is not working at all.
Example: “The machine is inoperative due to a mechanical issue.”
11. Glitched
This is a casual, techy term that suggests a temporary malfunction, often seen in digital devices.
Example: “The video glitched halfway through, and I had to restart it.”
12. Faulty
This word implies that something has a defect and isn’t working as it should.
Example: “The wiring in this gadget is faulty, which is why it keeps shutting off.”
13. Unavailable
Used when something or someone cannot be accessed or is not ready for use.
Example: “The server is unavailable at the moment. Please try again later.”
14. Non-functional
This phrase indicates that something is entirely out of working order and needs repair.
Example: “The lights in the hallway are non-functional until the electrician arrives.”
15. Disabled
A common phrase used for devices or systems that have been intentionally turned off.
Example: “The security system was disabled last night for maintenance.”
16. Busted
A casual and often humorous way to say something is broken.
Example: “The coffee maker is busted, so we’ll need to buy a new one.”
17. Shut down
This phrase describes when someone turns something off manually or when a problem causes it to turn off.
Example: “The system shut down unexpectedly during the presentation.”
18. Not operational
A formal term that simply means something isn’t working.
Example: “The lift is not operational due to a technical issue.”
19. Defective
A word used when something has a flaw or fault from the beginning, causing it not to work properly.
Example: “The new TV we bought was defective, so we returned it.”
20. Out of commission
Often used to describe something that will be out of service for a while.
Example: “The main elevator is out of commission until further notice.”
21. Down and out
This casual phrase suggests something is completely broken and likely beyond repair.
Example: “My old laptop is down and out. It’s time for a replacement.”
22. Unusable
Indicates that something is in such poor condition it can no longer be used.
Example: “The lawnmower is unusable after it hit a large rock.”
23. Frozen
Commonly used for computers or apps that stop working and don’t respond.
Example: “My screen froze during the video call, so I had to restart the computer.”
24. In disrepair
This phrase typically describes something that is broken or worn out due to a lack of maintenance.
Example: “The old cabin is in disrepair after years of neglect.”
25. Under the weather
A playful way to say a person is not feeling well or is unable to work.
Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today, so I won’t be coming in.”
26. Gone haywire
This casual phrase means that something is behaving unpredictably or malfunctioning.
Example: “The washing machine has gone haywire. It’s making strange noises.”
27. In need of fixing
A straightforward way to say that something is broken and needs repair is to state, “Something is broken and needs a fix.”
Example: “The door handle is in need of fixing, as it keeps getting stuck.”
28. Beyond repair
Used when something is too damaged to be fixed.
Example: “The old watch is beyond repair, so I’m getting a new one.”
29. Out of action
This phrase is used when something is temporarily unavailable for use.
Example: “The escalator is out of action for the next few hours.”
30. Compromised
People often use this phrase for cars or machines that require professional maintenance.
Example: “The security system is compromised due to a bug in the software.”
31. Clunky
This word describes something that works, but poorly, or in a way that is difficult to use.
Example: “This old phone is so clunky, it takes ages to open apps.”
32. Unavailable for use
A formal way to indicate something cannot be used at the moment.
Example: “The meeting room is unavailable for use until after lunch.”
33. Needs servicing
People often use this phrase for cars or machines that need professional maintenance.
Example: “My car needs servicing before we can go on the road trip.”
34. Temporarily down
This is used when something is only out of order for a short period.
Example: “The website is temporarily down but should be back online soon.”
35. Unfit for use
“Something is in such bad condition that you shouldn’t use it.”
Example: “The old ladder is unfit for use. It’s too wobbly to be safe.”
FAQs
1. Can these phrases be used in formal settings?
Yes, many of these alternatives such as “inoperative”, “unavailable”, and “non-functional” are perfect for formal communication.
2. Are these phrases interchangeable with “don’t work”?
Most of the time, yes. However, context matters. Some phrases like “gone haywire” or “kaput” are more casual, while others are more technical or formal.
3. Can I use these phrases for people who are not working?
Yes, certain phrases like “under the weather” and “out of action” can apply to people not working due to health or other reasons.
4. How can I choose the right phrase?
Consider your audience and the situation. For professional contexts, stick with formal terms like “inoperative” or “non-functional”. For casual conversations, feel free to use phrases like “on the fritz”.
5. Are these phrases appropriate for technical issues?
Yes, people commonly use terms like “malfunctioning,” “glitched,” and “frozen” to describe technical problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous creative and varied ways to say “don’t work,” depending on the context and tone you wish to convey. Whether you’re looking for casual, humorous, or professional alternatives, these expressions can add versatility to your language.
From playful phrases like “take it easy” to more direct options like “pause your efforts,” these alternatives help communicate the idea without repeating the same phrase. So next time, switch it up and choose the right words to match the situation!
