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.
War With A Mate already has listeners from around the globe, many of whom are happy they get to experience the game without having to do hundreds of hours of legwork.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
One way to support her would be to eliminate some of the legwork.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Impacted companies also do much of the investigative legwork, out of necessity and self-interest.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
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
“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
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
