Phrase guide

make short 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 do (a task) relatively quickly or easily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • A good electric screwdriver will make short work of the disassembly process.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To deal with or overcome (someone or something) quickly and without difficulty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: helpottaa — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Finnish: nopeuttaa — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Icelandic: gera sér lítið fyrir — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Polish: przyspieszać robotę — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Polish: przyspieszyć robotę — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Spanish: dar buena cuenta de — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Spanish: comer el mandado — make (a task) quicker or easier
  • Finnish: hoitaa alta pois — deal with or overcome (someone or something) quickly and without difficulty
  • French: ne faire qu'une bouchée de — deal with or overcome (someone or something) quickly and without difficulty
  • Polish: szybko się uporać — deal with or overcome (someone or something) quickly and without difficulty