Languages › English as a Second Language Idioms and Expressions That Use "Work" Share Flipboard Email Print Craig Moe/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 English as a Second Language Vocabulary Basic Conversations for English Language Learners Pronunciation & Conversation Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. our editorial process Kenneth Beare Updated August 13, 2018 The following idioms and expressions use the noun / verb 'work'. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help your understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with 'work'. English Idioms and Expressions All in a day's work Definition: nothing special, part of the routine Don't worry about it. It's all in a day's work.Cooking is all in a day's work. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Definition: Idiom meaning that you need to have fun in order to be a happy, healthy person Go home! Remember: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.I'm worried about him. He hasn't yet understood that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. Dirty work Definition: Necessary, but uninteresting, or difficult work He did the dirty work on that project.Have you got around to doing the dirty work yet? Get down to work Definition: Stop relaxing, focus on important task Hey, let's get down to work here!Sorry, I've got to get off the phone and get down to work. Get worked up over something Definition: become angry or annoyed about something He got all worked up over the last exam.Don't get worked up over the garden. I'll take care of it tomorrow. Make short work of something Definition: do something quickly I made short work of the assignment and moved on to the next job.Give it to John. He'll make short work of it. Work like a horse Definition: work a lot, work very hard Janet works like a horse!Why don't you ask Tom. He works like a horse. Work out for the best Definition: eventually finish well Don't worry about your problems. Everything will work out for the best.The divorce worked out for the best for the whole family. Work something off Definition: lose weight I'm going running to work dinner off.She went to the gym to work off a few pounds. Throw a monkey wrench in the works Definition: cause a disturbance in something that seems clear and understandable I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but don't you think we should ask Andy to help.Everything was set to go when Jack threw a monkey wrench in the works!