to be unequal to a task

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• unequal — In its meaning ‘inadequate in ability or resources’, unequal is used with to followed by a noun or verbal noun (They were unequal to the task / They were unequal to completing the task) …   Modern English usage

• unequal — [un ē′kwəl] adj. 1. not equal, as in size, strength, ability, value, rank, number, amount, etc. 2. a) not balanced or symmetrical [an unequal pattern] b) that matches unequal contestants [an unequal battle] 3. not even, regular, or uniform;… …   English World dictionary

• unequal — [[t]ʌ̱ni͟ːkwəl[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n An unequal system or situation is unfair because it gives more power or privileges to one person or group of people than to others. This country still had a deeply oppressive, unequal and divisive… …   English dictionary

• unequal — un|e|qual [ʌnˈi:kwəl] adj 1.) used to describe a situation or a social system which is unfair because some groups or people have more power than others →↑inequality ▪ an unequal contest ▪ the unequal distribution of wealth 2.) not equal in number …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• unequal — adjective 1 not equal in number, amount, or level: of unequal size/length etc: two posts of unequal length | be/unequal in size/weight etc: the baskets were unequal in weight and looked likely to topple 2 unfairly treating different people or… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

• unequal — I. adjective Date: 1565 1. a. not of the same measurement, quantity, or number as another b. not like or not the same as another in degree, worth, or status 2. not uniform ; variable, uneven 3. a. badly balanced or matched < an unequal c …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• unequal — /ʌnˈikwəl/ (say un eekwuhl) adjective 1. not equal; not of the same quantity, value, rank, ability, merit, etc.: unequal size. 2. not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical: an unequal leaf. 3. not even or… …  

• unequal — adjective 1) they are unequal in length Syn: different, dissimilar, unalike, unlike, disparate, unmatched, uneven, irregular, varying, variable, asymmetrical Ant: identical 2) t …   Thesaurus of popular words

• unequal — unequally, adv. unequalness, n. /un ee kweuhl/, adj. 1. not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc.: People are unequal in their capacities. 2. not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually fol. by to):… …   Universalium

• unequal — 1530s, unjust, unfair, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + EQUAL (Cf. equal). Meaning not the same in amount, size, quality, etc. is recorded from 1560s (inequal in this sense is from late 14c.). Sense of inadequate, insufficient (to some task) is… …   Etymology dictionary

• be unequal to sth — ► to not have the skills, money, or resources that are necessary to do or achieve something: »Ultimately, the management team was unequal to the task of paying off the mountain of debt it had taken on. Main Entry: ↑unequal …   Financial and business terms