make light work of

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to handle a demanding task quickly and effortlessly

Word picture

A demanding task is pictured as losing its weight and becoming a light load to handle.

Example

“The new cutting machine made light work of the thick metal sheets.”

Dictionary details

Component words

light work

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

all in a day's work Neutral · CEFR B2

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

donkey work Neutral · CEFR B2

the tiring, repetitive, and often unappreciated work that supports a larger task

make short work of Neutral · CEFR B2

to finish a task or overcome an opponent with surprising speed and ease

see the light of day Neutral · CEFR B2

be created, published, or finally made available for people to see

work wonders Neutral · CEFR B2

have an unusually strong and beneficial effect

light at the end of the tunnel Neutral · CEFR B2

A sign that a difficult period may soon improve or end.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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