Phrase guide

make quick work of

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To accomplish a specified task easily and quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • The cupbearers made quick work of the after-dinner cleanup chores.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To kill a specified person easily and quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • The spiders made quick work of the human soldiers.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.