to work one's magic
6
6.1
- idiom
- Informal
:
hacer magia
- The chef really knows how to work his magic in the kitchen, creating dishes that leave everyone impressed.
- watch work his magic
- let work her magic
- work his magic again
Examples
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I've had the great opportunity to see her work her magic and get to understand the depths of her mission.
Blog text (19) -
Coach H is the best, so let him work his magic.
Blog text (17) -
That means you got four minutes to work your magic.
-
Way to work your magic, Max.
-
Come on, work your magic.
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All right, let's see you work your magic.
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And then I need you to hop onto that computer and work your magic.
-
But the Houston lawyer once again worked his magic.
Academic text (2009) -
Time for you to work your magic on the President, Mata.
-
But then, after the lunch recess, Hardison began to work his magic.
Fiction book (1990)
Synonyms
19
3.8
To make something much better or more successful
Antonyms
How Effective
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines literal words 'work' and 'magic' but uses 'magic' metaphorically to mean special skill or technique; the overall sense is an extended, non-literal meaning rather than a direct composition. Because learners who know the parts can often infer the general idea (to produce an impressive effect through skill) but may miss the idiomatic nuance, this is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
Work one's magic comes from the simple picture of a magician at work: the performer uses magic and skill to make things change or look better. So when someone 'works their magic' today, it means they use skill or new ideas to get a great result or fix a problem.