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• Many hands make light work
  Many hands make light work

  Large tasks become small when divided among several people.
• many hands make light work
  many hands make light work

  More helpers make a task easier, as in We need a few more volunteers to move the furniture—many hands make light work, you know. This proverb was first recorded in English in the early 1300s in a knightly romance known as Sir Bevis of Hampton. It appeared in practically all proverb collections from 1546 on. For the converse, see too many cooks spoil the broth.

Many hands make light work

Cultural  

1. Large tasks become small when divided among several people.

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many hands make light work Idioms  

1. More helpers make a task easier, as in We need a few more volunteers to move the furniture—many hands make light work, you know. This proverb was first recorded in English in the early 1300s in a knightly romance known as Sir Bevis of Hampton. It appeared in practically all proverb collections from 1546 on. For the converse, see too many cooks spoil the broth.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Many hands make light work many hands make light work

Many hands make light work in those situations.

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

"Many hands make light work, that is what the Bible tells us," said Rick Hagans, 52, who traveled from Auburn with his sons to help with the cleanup.

From Reuters ● May 14, 2011

Many hands make light work, and in consequence the whole- 135 - ground under maize cultivation was thinned in little over a week.

From Out on the Pampas Or, The Young Settlers by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

Many hands make light work; but, had those hands been all hired labourers, the expense would have been more than the value of the house, but 'twas done by what is called a "frolic."

From Sketches and Tales Illustrative of Life in the Backwoods of New Brunswick Gleaned from Actual Observation and Experience During a Residence Of Seven Years in That Interesting Colony by Mrs. F. (Frederick) Beavan

Many hands make light work, and nothing remained but a little copying, which Jill promised to do before night.

From Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott

At home, they’re often made over the holidays, as many hands make light work.

From New York Times ● Mar. 22, 2021

I’ve learned that I always create a club or a family around me, because I understand so well the precept that many hands make light work.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 2, 2017

On assembly lines and at construction sites, in offices and around operating tables, many hands make light work.

From Time Magazine Archive

The adage that many hands make light work was never better exemplified than on that July day in the berry pasture.

From Peggy Raymond's Vacation or Friendly Terrace Transplanted by Harriet L.

Details for all purposes were made as soon as I asked for them, and as "many hands make light work," order and system began to pervade all departments.

From Memories A Record of Personal Experience and Adventure During Four Years of War by Fannie A. Beers

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