📘 What Does Make Short Work of Mean?
The idiom make short work of means to complete a task quickly, easily, or with little effort. It’s often used to describe situations where something that could have taken a long time is done swiftly and efficiently.
In short: If you make short work of something, you get it done fast—like a pro!
🕰 Origin and Background of Make Short Work of
The expression make short work of dates back to the 15th century. It was first used in English literature to describe someone dealing with a problem or task in a rapid and decisive manner. The term "short work" implies minimal time or effort, and the idea of "making short work" suggests cutting down the time something usually takes.
Over time, this phrase spread from military and literary contexts to everyday language, especially in British and American English.
🛠️ How and When Is Make Short Work of Commonly Used?
This idiom is often used in:
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Everyday conversation (e.g., talking about chores or work)
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Sports commentary (e.g., defeating an opponent quickly)
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Cooking or cleaning tasks
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Business and tech when solving problems efficiently
It’s also great for emphasizing speed, skill, or ease.
🎭 Tone and Formality
Make short work of is:
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Neutral to slightly informal
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Appropriate in both casual and semi-formal contexts
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Not typically used in very formal writing (e.g., academic or legal)
It carries a confident, sometimes even playful tone, depending on the situation.
✍️ 5 Original Sentence Examples Using Make Short Work of
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The chef made short work of the giant pile of onions in just ten minutes.
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Maria made short work of the final exam—she was done before everyone else.
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With a chainsaw, we made short work of the fallen tree blocking the road.
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The basketball team made short work of their opponents in the first half.
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Our cat made short work of the mouse that wandered into the kitchen.
🧠 Memory Tips and Practical Usage
💡 Easy Mnemonics:
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“Short” = little time. “Work” = the task. So the task takes little time = you make short work of it.
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Imagine a superhero doing chores with super speed — they always make short work of everything!
🗣 Practice Tip:
Next time you complete a task quickly, say out loud:
"I just made short work of that!"
Using it in real life helps cement it in your brain.
🤹 A Funny Little Story to Remember It
🔧 Meet Benny the Builder. One day, his neighbor asked him to help fix a broken fence. Benny showed up with a toolbox, a sandwich, and a smile. Within five minutes, the fence was up, the tools packed, and Benny was back home sipping lemonade.
His neighbor stared in disbelief and muttered,
"Well, he sure made short work of that!"
Now whenever you hear the idiom, just picture Benny and his lightning-speed hammer!
🔗 Keep Exploring the World of Idioms!
Idioms make English fun, expressive, and colorful 🌈. If you enjoyed learning about make short work of, check out our other posts like:
👉 Set to Work: Meaning & Examples
👉 Hit the Ground Running: Explained with Fun
Let language become your playground—one idiom at a time! 🧠✨