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.

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

Vergara shared that their relationship faded as she and Loeb had difficulty finding time for each other amid their busy work schedules.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2023

"Of course, we sometimes encounter such situations amid such busy work."

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2023

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