Does nothing but slide about (5)
I believe the answer is:
idles
'does nothing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'slide about' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'slide' anagrammed gives 'IDLES'.
'but' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for idles that I've seen before include "Does little, just ticks over" , "Spends time doing nothing" , "Of engine, just ticks over in neutral" , "Lazes about, just ticks over" , "Avoids working" .)