yeoman's service

American  

Or yeoman service

noun

1. good, useful, or workmanlike service.

   His trusty sword did him yeoman's service.

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Etymology

Origin of yeoman's service

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

He had done his country more than yeoman's service.

From The English in the West Indies or, The Bow of Ulysses by Froude, James Anthony

Then he threw aside books and gown and joined his four brothers in the Continental ranks, where he did yeoman's service for his country.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 26, July 1880. by Various

Yet there occurred opportunities when this odd lumber of my brain, especially that which was connected with the recondite parts of history, did me, as Hamlet says, "yeoman's service."

From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume I (of 10) by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)

M'Allister had intended going on to Glasgow during the previous week, but had remained at home at Norbury to assist in securing my release; doing yeoman's service in seeing various people and carrying messages.

From To Mars via The Moon An Astronomical Story by Wicks, Mark

There was something of the pallor of the sick-room left with him—a slight tenuity in his hands and brightness in his eye which did him yeoman’s service.

From The Claverings by Trollope, Anthony