to put a shift in
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
trabajar duro
- She always puts a shift in when there's a tight deadline at work.
Examples
-
If we really put a shift in tonight, we can finish the job ahead of schedule.
-
The team put a shift in and secured a well-deserved victory.
-
You need to put a shift in if you want to succeed!
-
He always puts a shift in at work.
-
If we really put a shift in tonight, we can finish the job ahead of schedule.
-
The team put a shift in and secured a well-deserved victory.
-
You need to put a shift in if you want to succeed!
Synonyms
489
2.3
To try hard to get better at or finish something over time
7
3.2
To begin working right away with energy
6
5.2
To work slowly and steadily on a difficult task
2
7.5
To start working very hard to reach a goal
1
6.8
To work very hard and use a lot of energy
1
6.3
Work hard for a long time on something, often before an exam or deadline
To work much harder and faster to get something done
Antonyms
How Hard
- Offensive
13
8.4
5
6.7
- Informal
∞
1.0
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to work a period of time / make an effort' follows directly from combining the phrasal verb 'put in' (to contribute or spend) with 'a shift' (a work period): together they transparently mean to do or contribute a shift of work. This is a regular phrasal-verb + noun composition that learners who know the constituents would readily infer, so it is not highly idiomatic or unpredictable.
Etymology
Put a shift in may come from simple work language: to put in means to give time or effort and a shift is a set period of work. So saying someone puts a shift in gives the picture of them working hard during that time, which is why it means 'to work hard' or 'make a strong effort'.