I hate doing the grunt work at the office.
grunt work
idiomWork (especially that which is heavy, repetitive or mindless) that is considered undesirable and therefore delegated to underlings.
Origin
disputed originFrom the verb grunt.
The intern spent the entire afternoon doing grunt work like filing papers and organizing old files.
While the senior partners focused on high-level strategy, the junior associates were left to handle the tedious grunt work required to prepare the case for trial.
- 01
busy work
Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.
- 02
close enough for government work
Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.
- 03
crazy enough to work
Acknowledging that an idea, plan, or strategy seems foolish, implausible, or risky, yet might succeed precisely because of its unconventional or unexpected nature.
- 04
detective work
investigative research
- 05
dirty work
One or more unpleasant tasks, assignments, or employment duties, especially those of a disreputable or illicit nature.
- 06
do the work
To take part in social justice activism; to fight against racism, oppression, etc.
- 07
don't call me sir, I work for a living
Used by senior enlisted military personnel to indicate that they are not commissioned officers.
- 08
donkey work
Work that is difficult, boring, and routine.