Work Idioms

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burn the midnight oil

Meaning: work late into the night, especially on a project or task.

Example: Jenny had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline for her presentation. Read more ➺


bigger fish to fry

Meaning: to have other, more important things to do.

Example: You are not worth my time or energy; I have bigger fish to fry. Read more ➺


bring to the table

Meaning: making a valuable contribution to a group, company, or individual.

Example: I wish to bring to the table the issue of the current tax regime and how it affects our businesses. Read more ➺


jack of all trades

Meaning: Refers to a person skilled in many different kinds of work but not necessarily an expert in any one.

Example: As a jack of all trades, she fixes computers, paints walls, and bakes cakes for her family. Read more ➺


in for a penny, in for a pound

Meaning: to complete a task, no matter what it may need.

Example: In for a penny, in for a pound, we need to stay up all night and get the report done since we cannot turn it in half-finished. Read more ➺


break one’s back

Meaning: get through the hardest part of something.

Example: I'm tired and need an ice-cold drink. I broke my back at work today on that project. Read more ➺


a quick buck

Meaning: to make money quickly.

Example: He decided to make a quick buck by selling his CD collection. Read more ➺


easier said than done

Meaning: to explain that a task is easier to talk about than perform.

Example: It's easier said than done when it comes to convincing people that something is true. Read more ➺


child’s play

Meaning: an informal expression meaning something that is easy to do

Example: If you practise enough, driving will eventually become child's play. Read more ➺


cakewalk

Meaning: something that can be easily accomplished.

Example: I thought the course was going to be difficult, but it ended up being a cakewalk. Read more ➺


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