busywork
3
6.3
- noun
- /ˈbɪziˌwɜrk/
:
trabajo inútil
- Now, I know that you're all sick of doing busywork, but, oh, have I got a chore for a lucky someone.
Examples
-
When times are bad, they end up doing busywork.
Blog text (8) -
One just to take care of all the busywork, you know, pay the bills, get my car tuned up.
Fiction book (1993) -
Stuff like 100 hours of busywork is superfluous and will turn me off from a game.
Blog text (13) -
I don't doubt that teachers are working very hard and have had their own version of busywork handed to them by the district.
Blog text (12) -
There were a lot of people occupying themselves with busywork to keep from talking to him today, one part of Al's mind observed.
Fiction book (1992) -
I want our teachers (one exceptional, one so-so) to encourage learning, not busywork.
Blog text (12) -
The instructional approach of educators who focus on overall musicianship does not center on materials or busywork.
Academic text (2003) -
Many ask themselves how to do so in an effective and meaningful way that actually adds to the course experience rather than seeming like mere busywork.
Academic text (2014) -
The manager assigned her a lot of busywork instead of real projects to enhance her skills.
-
Completing paperwork can sometimes feel like busywork when there are more important tasks to tackle.
Synonyms
126
2.7
An activity that takes time but does not help you
14
9.9
Work that looks useful but wastes time or money
4
3.9
An activity that uses your time but does not help you
3
8.1
Simple unpleasant tasks that no one wants to do
1
9.9
A job that feels pointless and gives no real value
1
8.4
Tasks given mainly to keep someone busy instead of producing useful results
1
3.8
An action that uses time and energy but gives no useful result
1
9.9
Unpleasant small jobs that no one wants to do
A small unimportant task done badly, like filing papers
How Useful
∞
2.5
3
6.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Busywork is simply the joining of busy and work, where busy means 'occupied' and work means 'tasks'. So busywork is work that only keeps you busy — tasks done to fill time rather than to help something important.