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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Make short work of

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Finish or deal with something quickly and effectively.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. With everyone helping, we made short work of the washing-up.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Finish or deal with something quickly and effectively.
Show the answer

Make short work of — Finish or deal with something quickly and effectively.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Make short work of” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

Finish or deal with something quickly and effectively.

Compare: With everyone helping, we made short work of the washing-up.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this informal expression about completing tasks, eating food or defeating an opponent quickly. It often sounds approving or playful.

More examples in context

  • The children made short work of the fruit platter.
  • The technician made short work of the simple repair.

Usage note

Use “of” before the task or thing dealt with. “Work” stays uncountable: do not say “make short works of”. Speed here does not necessarily imply careless work.

A short conversation

A: There are so many chairs to stack.
B: If we each take a row, we’ll make short work of it.
A: Good idea. I’ll start at the back.

One more practice question

A team makes short work of packing the boxes. What happens?

A. They complete the task quickly.
B. They abandon it before starting.

Check your answer

A. Making short work of a task means dealing with it rapidly.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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