light work
3
1.0
- noun
- Informal
:
trabajo ligero
- Using a powerful tool makes light work of cutting through thick branches.
- make light work
- Many hands make light work
- day of light work
And that is literally light work.
- And that is literally light work.
- And you need to just iron that out and you just need to be able to allow your brain a mix of light work and deep work within the day.
- See this just as a liquid bronzer and you see the sponge just makes light work of blending that in.
Examples
-
I should think he'll make light work of it.
-
"Many hands make light work," Breen said of the volunteer efforts.
Blog text (12) -
Many hands make light work.
Blog text (23) -
This is light work, fellas.
-
Many hands make light work, and food production often gives rise to specialization and exchange.
Blog text (28) -
It was light work.
Fiction book (1990) -
The money to be earned for doing light work—standing in front of a door, carrying food on a tray, even cleaning strangers' shoes—got you in a day more money than any of them had earned in one whole harvest.
Fiction book (1992) -
With enough volunteers, we can make light work of the cleanup after the event.
-
The gardener said this task is light work compared to what we did last week.
Synonyms
33
2.1
An easy thing to do
1
3.4
An easy task that you can do without much effort
1
7.8
An easy task that needs little effort
Antonyms
How Physically Demanding
1
7.0
355
1.6
- US
18
3.3
- Informal
3
1.0
263
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'easy to do' is directly derivable from combining 'light' (not heavy / of small intensity) with 'work' (effort or task): a task that is 'not heavy' naturally means it requires little effort. This compositional use of weight/effort metaphor is common across languages and follows a regular, predictable pattern for learners who know both words.
Etymology
The phrase light work paints a simple picture: if the load you carry is light, the work is easy to do. So calling a task light work means it is 'easy'.