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

A clinic with in-person and virtual care options can help you juggle appointments with busy work, home, and personal life.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023

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

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2023

Two longtime friends were looking at the calendar earlier this year while trying to figure out how they could hang out during busy work schedules that rarely left them in the same place.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2022

And even with their busy work schedules, my dad was still able to find time to coach Kia's soccer team, and my mom still chaperoned Kia's school field trips and attended all his games.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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