What does 'coast' mean hear?

We often use the expression that a person is just coasting by to say they are just making it. He or she is not really putting forth a sincere effort. They are just not giving 100 of what they should, yet they are still being rewarded for just being there.

Hi

I agree with Cynthia. It would be interesting to know why it means that

My guess is that when cars were invented, some people used them to do serious things like go to work; and others used them just to drive around for pleasure and, say, look at the sea views. The latter kind of person was coasting

Dave

dave_anonOthers used them just to drive around for pleasure and, say, look at the sea views. The latter kind of person was coasting

Ouch!

Think of a coaster wagon: no motor.

Aha,

So a car that is coasting is moving along like a costermonger's barrow!

I rather think you're right

(... and the ship metaphor is interesting too)

Thanks!

Dave

Hi, Thank you for your reply.
Is my expression correct?
Do not coast you work. Your boss will think you always work in sloppy way. Do not get on his bad side.

messier42Is my expression correct?

The grammar is wrong, and it does not mean 'sloppy'; it means working slowly and without effort. A more natural utterance would be: Do not coast along in your work.

Thank you!
What about this?
Let's coast along the work today~ I don't feel like working on Saturday and We have a lot of time to finish the work. We can work in earnest next monday.

messier42Let's coast along the work today

Let's coast along with/in the work today

What does 'coast' mean here?