Jump To:

• donkey work
  donkey work

  noun

  tedious, repetitious work; drudgery.
• donkey-work
  donkey-work

  noun

  groundwork

donkey work

American  

Also donkeywork

noun

1. Informal. tedious, repetitious work; drudgery.

---

donkey-work British  

noun

1. groundwork

2. US equivalent: draft-mule work.  drudgery

---

Etymology

Origin of donkey work

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

donkey work donkey-work

Donkeys and donkey work are essential to the livelihoods of people in developing countries, but elsewhere donkeys have all but disappeared.

From New York Times ● Mar. 14, 2023

With the right service, he gives them a greater threat from set-pieces but also takes the pressure off his strike partner because he can do all the donkey work.

From BBC ● Dec. 7, 2014

This seems an excellent use of a computer to do the donkey work for us, but unfortunately it does not get rid of all the labor.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 23, 2011

Workforce beat the old course record by about six lengths, but only beat At First Sight, who'd done the donkey work, by seven lengths, so that horse nearly broke the old course record too.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 12, 2011

The inside forwards should do what is called "the donkey work," to fetch and carry, and to help the half-backs when they are in a dilemma.

From Association Football And How To Play It by Cameron, John

But they might prefer Tim Bresnan, the whole-hearted Yorkshireman, who would be thrilled to do some of the donkey-work into the strong sea breeze that arrives each day at the Waca.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 12, 2010

He might do the donkey-work; but in fact Sally must lead.

From Coquette by Swinnerton, Frank