do the minimum

USAGE SUMMARY

"do the minimum" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone completing a task or requirement just enough to satisfy the requirements but no more. For example, "I'm only going to do the minimum required for this project; I don't want to put too much effort into it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I really do the minimum.

The New York Times

"They do the minimum, and it's a sad story".

The New York Times

He appears to do the minimum on the podium yet inspires adulation and blazing results.

The Guardian - Music

He thought he was smart to save everything and do the minimum.

The New Yorker

They will do the minimum they have to to meet the regulatory requirement they face".

The New York Times

And that we have a responsibility not to do the minimum, the legal requirement.

The New York Times - Sports

"The government should at least do the minimum, and the bare minimum of the job is to deliver electricity".

The New York Times

Microsoft's promotion encouraged developers to do the minimum amount of possible work and create a bunch of bad apps.

The Guardian - Tech

A leader can respond with caution — do the minimum to contain the damage and hope that it doesn't get worse.

The New York Times

Instead, Facebook has chosen to do the minimum amount of explaining possible, at the last legal date possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's normal in business to maximize profits and do the minimum you can get away with," Mr. Cohen said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the expression "do the minimum", consider the context and the audience to avoid misunderstandings, as it may sometimes be interpreted as a lack of motivation or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "do the minimum" in situations where exceeding expectations or showing initiative is valued, as it can convey a negative impression of apathy or lack of dedication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do the minimum" primarily functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig provides examples across diverse sources, indicating its common usage to express the act of fulfilling only the basic requirements of a task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure adheres to standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do the minimum" is a widely recognized phrase indicating the act of fulfilling only the most basic requirements of a task or situation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard English grammar and spans various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it conveys a strategic or pragmatic approach emphasizing efficiency. While examples of Ludwig show diverse sources, the usage of this phrase can indicate an intentional effort to fulfill the essential requirements of a project without exceeding them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do the absolute minimum

Highlights the effort made is as little as possible

perform the bare minimum

Emphasizes that only the most essential tasks are completed.

satisfy minimum requirements

Underlines the fulfillment of the lowest accepted requirements.

fulfill basic requirements

Focuses on satisfying the minimum conditions necessary.

only do what's necessary

Focuses on avoiding unnecessary actions or exceeding expectations.

exert minimal effort

Focuses on the level of effort expended, implying a conscious decision to limit exertion.

meet the lowest standards

Highlights adherence to the most basic benchmarks or expectations.

scrape by

Indicates a struggle to achieve even minimal success or compliance.

cut corners

Implies a compromise in quality or thoroughness to save effort or resources.

take the easy way out

Emphasizes choosing the simplest and least demanding option.

FAQs

What does "do the minimum" mean?

The phrase "do the minimum" means to exert the least amount of effort necessary to fulfill a requirement or obligation. It implies a focus on meeting the basic standards without exceeding them.

How can I use "do the minimum" in a sentence?

You can use "do the minimum" to describe someone's approach to a task, such as, "He decided to "perform the bare minimum" on the project to save time and energy."

What's the difference between "do the minimum" and "go above and beyond"?

"Do the minimum" suggests meeting the basic requirements, while "go above and beyond" means exceeding expectations and putting in extra effort.

What are some alternatives to "do the minimum"?

Alternatives to "do the minimum" include "exert minimal effort", ""perform the bare minimum"", or "meet the lowest standards", depending on the specific context.