noun
Etymology
Origin of legwork
Explanation
If you've ever spent time doing research, or trying to get information from people, you'll understand why we call it legwork: It's something that takes physical effort, and it usually means you have to get out from behind a desk. Legwork refers to the work that happens when a project is in an early stage. You could be asking people for interviews, collecting information, conducting surveys — the possibilities are endless! It's called legwork because it contrasts with sitting down to write up what you found out. These days, though, a lot of legwork also happens from behind a desk: If you're gathering information or other material for a project, you can still call it legwork, even if you didn't travel or walk around to do it.
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.
Unless you have a financial adviser at a sizable firm, you might need to do the legwork yourself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
With fewer genetic profiles to work with there is more legwork involved, but Moore said it will likely be key to identifying a suspect.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2026
But it isn’t straightforward, and it will require legwork.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 14, 2025
Even if you do some of the legwork yourself, always rely on the agent’s expertise for negotiating.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2024
“Don’t worry; I won’t say a word. You just concentrate on getting better. I’ll do the legwork and you can help with the revisions and fact-checking, okay?”
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
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.
