make quick work of
To accomplish a specified task easily and quickly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She made quick work of the dishes.”
“The experienced mechanic made quick work of the repair and had the car running in minutes.”
“Armed with a sharp blade and years of practice, the chef made quick work of the mountain of vegetables before service began.”
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absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
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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.
- 03
cannot make it
Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.
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close enough for government work
Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.
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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.
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detective work
investigative research
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dirty work
One or more unpleasant tasks, assignments, or employment duties, especially those of a disreputable or illicit nature.
- 08
do the work
To take part in social justice activism; to fight against racism, oppression, etc.
Last updated August 10, 2026