busy work

Idioms

Activity meant to take up time but not actually be productive. For example, We have to put in an eight-hour day, even if we do nothing but busy work. [c. 1840]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

busy work

For businesses, that might look like a way to free up workers from busy work so the company can do more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

In the episodes, the influencer is seen juggling her busy work schedule with looking after the couple's two-year-old daughter, Bambi, at home in Manchester.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025

Students can feel that an assignment is busy work or not understand its purpose.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2025

She tried to resume her busy work, but I pressed her for an explanation.

From Salon ● Feb. 26, 2023

Elisha’s busy work schedule meant he sometimes missed a date with Maggie.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023