heavy lifting

American  

[hev-ee lif-ting] / ˈhɛv i ˈlɪf tɪŋ /

noun

Informal.

1. hard work.

   A team of researchers did the heavy lifting for the author.

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Etymology

Origin of heavy lifting

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

And to be fair, even investors who have taken a more optimistic tack have acknowledged that tactical buying by hedge funds and other sophisticated investors appears to be doing much of the heavy lifting here.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

But the key is the free energy you obtain by letting heat from the air outside do much of the heavy lifting in boiling the refrigerant when it is cold.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Freeze citrus peels, berries, fresh herbs or edible flowers into ice cubes and let them do the heavy lifting.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2026

The defense did most of the heavy lifting from there, holding Oregon at arm’s length until the fourth quarter, when the Ducks flew out in front, dealing the Trojans another loss.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026

So we decided to move them to the attic, and Peter was entrusted with the heavy lifting.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank