Make short work of ✂️💨

Meaning

To finish a task or deal with a problem very quickly and easily.

Origin

Imagine a seasoned carpenter facing a pile of lumber. They don't dither or waste time. With swift, practiced movements, they transform the raw material into precisely cut pieces. This efficiency, this near-instantaneous transformation from raw to finished, is the essence of the phrase. It conjures an image of expert handling that reduces a potentially lengthy process to mere moments, giving the impression that the task itself was trivial and quickly overcome by skill and speed.

💪📈 work 🏆 success ⏳🕰️ time ☠️ risk

Make short work of represented with emoji✂️💨

This playful juxtaposition of scissors and wind functions as a whimsical reminder that sometimes, the best approach to a task is to simply make short work of it. It underscores the satisfying swiftness with which one can overcome challenges, turning daunting jobs into fleeting gusts.

Examples

  • With his experience, he could make short work of the plumbing repair.
  • The experienced chef made short work of preparing the elaborate meal.
  • The determined squirrel made short work of the tough nut, much to the surprise of the watching cat.
  • The wizard's apprentice, with a flick of his wand, made short work of the mountain of laundry that had piled up.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'make short work of' a formal idiom?

No, 'make short work of' is generally considered an informal idiom. It's commonly used in everyday conversation but might be too casual for very formal writing.

What's the opposite of 'make short work of'?

The opposite of 'make short work of' would be to take a long time over something, to struggle with a task, or to prolong a process unnecessarily.

Can you 'make short work of' a person?

While primarily used for tasks or problems, 'make short work of' can figuratively refer to defeating or overcoming an opponent quickly, implying a swift and decisive victory.

Does 'make short work of' imply laziness?

No, the phrase 'make short work of' implies efficiency and skill, not laziness. It suggests that someone is capable of completing a task quickly and easily due to their expertise or effort.

Similar to "make short work of"

Whip through it
Both imply speed and ease, but 'whip through it' has a more energetic, almost rushed feel, suggesting a dash rather than a calculated quick finish
Handle it with aplomb
Both point to masterful execution, but 'handle it with aplomb' emphasizes a cool, confident self-assurance, a stylish grace that 'make short work of' doesn't necessarily convey
Get the job done
Both focus on task completion, but 'get the job done' is more about the necessity and finality of finishing, whereas 'make short work of' highlights the *manner* of swift, efficient completion

Opposite of "make short work of"

Drag one's heels
This argues for deliberate slowness and reluctance, highlighting that sometimes tasks are *meant* to take time or that one might intentionally resist quick completion, a stark contrast to the eager efficiency of 'make short work of'
Stumble through it
This champions a clumsy, hesitant approach, suggesting that the *opposite* of skillful, quick resolution is fumbling incompetence, making the idea of easily conquering a task seem absurd
Labor over it
This phrase champions meticulous, time-consuming effort, suggesting that true value and quality often come from slow, deliberate work, directly challenging the glory found in 'making short work of' things

Related to "make short work of"

Cut to the chase
This phrase shares the spirit of efficiency, but it specifically relates to getting to the most important point quickly, much like 'making short work of' a task gets to its desired outcome
Streamline the process
Both phrases are about improving efficiency, but 'streamline the process' focuses on optimizing the *system* beforehand to allow for quick completion, the very thing that enables one to 'make short work of' tasks
A Herculean effort
This phrase evokes the epic scale of a task, the very kind that one *might* try to 'make short work of', but it emphasizes the immense difficulty and the struggle involved, offering a dramatic counterpoint to swift success
Nip it in the bud
This speaks to dealing with a problem decisively and early, sharing the proactive and swift nature of 'making short work of' something before it escalates