by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
The idea of ‘work’ can mean building a palace or
destroying people and places.
Work can be hard, easy, profitable, masterful, secretive and even stupid.
Work also wears a “suit phrase”
which gives ‘metaphor’ a run for its money. (see below)
The biggest question for OG workers is:
How in the world can clicking a mouse be considered work?
Hard to say. No matter where we live, though, it is work that defines us.
Here are some popular Earth idioms about work:
“A woman’s work is never done.”
It would take literally all day to list the ways women
use mental and physical toughness
to survive in a man’s world.
Work, however, has grittier subject matter to discombobulate:
“All in a day’s work” – when spoken sarcastically it can sting a person.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” – unless Jack has no ambition.
“Break your back” – is physical but describes being worn out mentally, too.
“Burning the candle at both ends” – multi-taskers wear out faster, don’t they?
“Burn the midnight oil” – any work longer than 12 hours deprives you of sleep.
“A piece of work” – a great example of someone who nobody wants to hang out with.
“A devil finds work for idle hands” – a warning to do good things.
“The devil is in the details” – you have to invest a lot of time for greatness.
“Dirty work” – is either physically exhausting or mentally reprehensible.
“Do the dirty work” – people who use their training for a tedious or strenuous task
“Gum up the works” – make a situation worse by incompetence or sloppiness
“Keep up the good work” – praise for doing what you are supposed to do
“Labor of love” – any job that requires effort while little praise is given
“Shoot the works” – to be generous with money or time on a project
“Sweat blood” – a large personal investment
“Work like a beaver” – commit to success by mind, body and soul
“Works like a charm” – any special characteristic of a person or object that ensures a process.
“Work your fingers to the bone” – having a detailed, repetitive time-consuming task.
“Work it” – do what you do because only you can.
From the Third Shift worker’s tired eyes to furious frantic feet during Crunch Time,
do not work yourself to death.
Have a work break . . . or two.
Copyright © 1960-2017 Lawrence J. J. Leonard All rights reserved.
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