sheet-metal work
1
4.9
- noun
- /ʃiːtˈmɛtəl wɜrk/
- Specialized
:
trabajo de chapa
- The construction crew specializes in sheet-metal work for ventilation systems in commercial buildings.
Examples
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The company offers training programs in sheet-metal work, preparing students for careers in HVAC installation.
-
But it's had sheet metal work throughout inside and out.
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"You mean I really get to do some sheet metal work?" she asked kiddingly.
Fiction book (1992) -
I was trained not to speak Yiddish at all, but I learned to recognize that Yiddish was a language to communicate with that man, and that man did very good sheet metal work for the restaurant business.
Blog text (19) -
"You're the subcontractor for the sheet-metal work?" Dr. Snyder said to Vann.
Fiction book (1999) -
Once the major structural work and sheet metal work is complete, windows of Plexiglas rimmed by rubber are installed, and the windshield of the cab is reinstalled (Fig. 8).
Academic text (2008) -
He learned sheet-metal work in trade school and now designs duct systems for new homes.
Synonyms
1
3.5
Work that shapes metal into useful or decorative objects with tools
1
3.8
Making objects by shaping and joining pieces of metal
Surface Forms
Morphology
sheet-metal + work
The meaning 'the craft or activity of shaping and assembling sheet metal' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'sheet' + 'metal' (thin metal panels) combined with 'work' (job/activity). This compositional, literal structure is common cross-linguistically and follows regular English compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Sheet-metal work comes from the simple picture of a worker shaping thin sheet pieces of metal, cutting, bending and joining them to make things like roofs or air ducts. So, the phrase means 'the craft of shaping and putting together thin metal pieces', which helps you remember it is about making parts for buildings and machines.