rust out
v. phr.— «It was during the 80s, when affluence had become more prevalent, that the foot-stamping began, giving rise to “rust out,” a term used to describe workers who “waste away, unchallenged and uninspired” at their desks.» —“Chairmen of the bored” by Kate Hilpern Guardian (United Kingdom) June 23, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In 1916, a small-town newspaper in Pennsylvania printed a fanciful item about a local gathering with a guest list that included, among others, Miss Ella Vader, Mr. Ray Zor, and other punny names. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
A caller in Cooperstown, North Dakota, remembers her West Virginia-born grandmother’s stern warning: Willful waste will lead to woeful want. The more common version, Wilful waste makes woeful want, goes back to the 18th century. Other versions...