galley slave

American  

noun

1. a person condemned to work at an oar on a galley.

2. a drudge.

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galley slave British  

noun

1. a criminal or slave condemned to row in a galley

2. informal  a drudge

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Etymology

Origin of galley slave

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Commentators are also saying that these workers experience higher than average rates of workplace injuries and are treated like "galley slaves."

From Salon

“If you have it loud, too much of the time you have the poor string section treated like galley slaves,” he said.

From New York Times

The evil is industrialized labor itself—an entire existence spent like a galley slave pulling an oar.

From The New Yorker

Somaine became a galley slave due to a 1713 order by King Louis XIV to leave the country because of his religion.

From Washington Times

Nabokov says that his characters are just his galley slaves – but he’s Nabokov, and he’s allowed to say things like that.

From The Guardian