desk work
Americannoun
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work done at a desk.
-
habitual writing, as that of a clerk.
Etymology
Origin of desk work
First recorded in 1860–65
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.
Harfuch loved "the streets," preferring "to go on operations" over desk work, Cervantes said.
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
A major driver of the new AI-inspired alarm has been increased capacity for computers to code software—and the fear that those capabilities could extend to swaths of white-collar desk work.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
From there he moved into support desk work, and found his way into cyber security, with organizations such as BAE Systems and Universal Studios.
From BBC ● May 22, 2025
Layton said the officers will need to undergo psychological exams when they return before they can be moved from desk work to regular duties.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 21, 2022
In milder cases, he sometimes counseled that a soldier be discharged from his normal duties and given desk work instead.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
