to basically quit working while still remaining at work because you don't agree with the way things are being handled or just because you don't care anymore. Staying on break permanently due to protest without actually going on strike.
Josh: Dude, why are you just sitting there playing Tetris on your computer when you're supposed to be working.
Paul: Because Mike told me to do something I don't want to do. I am commencing Operation Shutdown.
When a human being or creature is in a state of nothingness. The individual has lost all train of thought and is completely useless. A victim of shutdown cannot think, has no motor skills, appearing to be much like a pilon. Shutdown is often caused after a day of vigorous activity, or simply from being lazy.