A messy desk is a barrier to productivity.

Meaning: This means that a messy and disorganized desk can make it difficult for you to get work done.

Choice of Words: Messy means untidy and disorganized. Barrier means something that prevents or hinders progress. Productivity means the rate at which something is produced. When you combine them, "A messy desk is a barrier to productivity" means that a messy and disorganized desk can prevent you from being productive.

Alternative Expressions

A cluttered desk can make it harder to get things done.

Meaning: This means that if your desk is cluttered, it can make it harder for you to do your work. It's like saying, If your desk is cluttered, it can make it harder for you to find the things you need to do your work, and it can also make it harder for you to focus on your work.

Choice of Words: Cluttered means filled with a lot of things that are not in their proper places. Desk is a piece of furniture that people use to work on. Make it harder means to cause something to be more difficult. Get things done means to complete tasks or accomplish goals. When you put them together, "A cluttered desk can make it harder to get things done" means that having a desk that is not tidy can make it more difficult for someone to finish their work.

An untidy desk can slow you down.

Meaning: This means that if your desk is untidy, it can make it take longer for you to do your work. It's like saying, If your desk is untidy, it can make it harder for you to find the things you need to do your work, and it can also make it harder for you to focus on your work, which can make it take longer to finish your work.

Choice of Words: Untidy means not neat or organized. Desk is a piece of furniture that people use to work on. Slow you down means to make something take longer to complete. When you put them together, "An untidy desk can slow you down" means that having a desk that is not tidy can make it take longer for someone to finish their work.

Related Expressions