Reverse Dictionary: WORK

ADJECTIVES
► FULL OF THE OLD NICK feeling ambitious and eager to work → 1965 Amer. dial.
► LABOURABLE capable of being laboured or worked → 1481 obs.
► LABOURSOME given to labour; hard-working → 1551 obs.
► NANTLING of work: light, trifling; done for amusement → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► OFF not performing or working well → 1846 US sl.
► OMNIGERENT universally working. performing all kinds of work → 1865
► OPERATIC engaged in production as a workman or artisan, working → 1823-27 rare
► RAMSTOORIE of a vigorous but not meticulous worker: slapdash, rough and ready → 1949 Sc.
► RAWHIDE exacting hard work → 1950 Amer. dial.
► SAUNTERING given to dawdling over one’s work → 1673 obs.
► SKIVING work-shy; shirking work → 1959 UK sl.
► WALL-EYED of any work: badly done → M19 sl.
► WORK BRICKLE ready to work → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► WORK-BRITTLE eager to work, earnest or intent on work, industrious, energetic → 1647 Eng. & Amer. dial.
► WORKING A WELT dishonestly contriving a break from work → c1900 UK sl.

ADVERBS
► AGREAT of work: done by the piece → Bk1898 Eng. dial.

NOUNS
► AARDVARK hard work, unpleasant tasks → 2004 UK sl. (Bk.)
► ABRAHAM WORK sweated labour, ill-paid work → Bk1909 sl.
► BASHING arduous work, esp. of the specified sort → 1940 Brit. services’ sl.
► BED-WORK work that is or can be done in bed or without toil, easy work → 1606 obs.
► BINNER a quantity of work done → Bk1898 Sc.
► BUBBLE-WORK insubstantial work, work that comes to nothing → 1897 Amer. dial.
► BUCKEYE one whose work is of low quality; the inferior work itself → 1843 Amer. dial.
► BULLWORK manual labour; hard work → 1944 Amer. dial.
– tedious work requiring little thought or skill → 1970s US sl.
► BUM-OUT an assignment to easy work → 1940s US Army & prison sl.
► CA’ CANNY a deliberate reduction of working speed and production by workers, to express their discontent → 1895 Sc.
► CHUMP JOB respectable, low-paying, regular work → 1930s US sl.
► CHURCH WORK n. any work that proceeds slowly → 1785 sl. (Bk.)
► CLOCK WATCHING the act of working no harder, or for no longer, than is minimally required → 1942 UK sl.
► COUNTRY WORK work that progresses very slowly → E19 sl.
► DADERY drudgery, exhausting work → 1891 Sc.
► DAILY DOZEN one’s work, occupation → 1930s sl.
► DAILY GRIND, THE one’s usual day’s work
► DARG a day’s work; the task of a day; a defined quantity or amount of work done in a certain time or at a certain rate of payment; a task → c1425 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► DARG-DAYS days of work done in lieu of rent or due to the feudal lord → 19C Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► DARGING the work of a day labourer, esp. hard, plodding toil → 1788 Sc.
► DARGUE a day’s work; the amount of work done in a day → 1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► DARRACK a day’s work; the amount of work done in a day → 1737 Eng. dial.
► DAY FOR A KING ► DAY FOR THE KING ► DAY ON THE KING a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment → 1947 NZ sl.
► DAYLIGHTING working (usually illicitly) at a second job during daylight hours → 20C sl.
► DAY ON THE QUEEN a day off; orig, when outdoor work was impossible, but used generally to cover any unofficial day off, as one that follows a night of over-enthusiastic enjoyment → 1947 NZ sl.
► DAYSIDE a day shift → 1985 Amer. labourers’ usage
► DEAD HORSE work that ‘doesn’t pay’ but must be done → 1969 Amer. dial.
► DEZICK ► DEZZICK a day’s work → 1894 Eng. dial.
► DIDDLE slow and trifling working; trifling activity; one who is slow and dawdling in his work → Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► DIDDLE-DADDLE slow and trifling working; trifling activity; one who is slow and dawdling in his work → Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► DINKUM work; a due share of work → 1888 Eng. dial.
► DOG’S WORK ► DOG WORK menial or unpleasant work → 1847
► DORG a day’s work; the amount of work done in a day → 1737 Eng. dial.
► DRIFFLE a quantity of work done with speed → 1866 Sc.
► EIDENCY diligence, hard work, assiduity → 1834 Sc.
► ERGASIOPHOBIA an abnormal fear of work → Bk1991
► ERGOMANIA a mania for work → Bk1991
► ERGOPHOBIA fear of work; morbid aversion to labour → 1881
► EYDENCE diligence, hard work, assiduity → 1834 Sc. obs.
► EYEBALLING the act of working extremely hard, esp. at a gruelling manual task; arduous physical labour → 1846 Aust. colloq. obs.
► EYE-SERVICE work or service performed merely for outward show or when under observation → 1526 rare
► FAFFLEMENT trifling and unnecessary work → Bk1900 Eng. dial.
► FAG a bore; a chore; an unpleasant, tedious task; anything that causes weariness, hard work, toil, drudgery, fatigue; a wearisome thing→ 1780 colloq.
► FAGGING ► FAGGING ABOUT the act of working hard or wearying oneself at something; hard work; an exhausting experience → 1777
► GAFF a legitimate job, work → 1910s sl.
► GANG a turn or spell at any work or exercise → 1879 Eng. dial.
– a work crew → 1989 US sl.
► GIG work; any job or occupation → 1950s Amer. sl.
► GOLDEN HOURS in the entertainment industry: time worked at a premium overtime rate → 1970 US sl.
► GOLDEN TIME in the entertainment industry: time worked at a premium overtime rate → 1970 US sl.
► GRAFT hard work → 1853
► GRUNT WORK work that is repetitious, often physically exhausting and boring → sl.
► HAMMER clumsy, noisy working or walking → 1866 Sc.
► HANA work, labour → 1951 Hawaii
► HANAHANA labour, hard work → 1967 Hawaii
► HAND’S TURN a stroke of work → 1828 colloq.
► HARD GRAFT hard work → 1873 Aust. sl.
► HARD YAKKA hard work → 1888 Aust. sl.
► HASHTER work ill-arranged or executed in a slovenly manner → Bk1902 Sc.
► HORSEFLESH work that is charged for before it is actually done → L17 sl.
► JACKETING a hard day’s work → Bk1902 Eng. dial.
► JACKLEGGING working inexpertly; fiddling → 1918 Amer. dial.
► JIPPO part-time work → 1920s Amer. sl.
► LABORATION working, work, labour → c1460 obs. rare
► LABOURAGE labouring, labour, work → 1484 obs.
► LEACH hard work, great fatigue → 1721 Eng. dial. obs.
► LICK a work period → 1868 US sl.
► LICK-OVER a quick once-over; a piece of work done quickly→ 1966 Amer. dial.
► LIVE HORSE work additional to that included in the (generally, week’s) bill → 19C Brit. workmen’s sl.
► LOUNDER the act of showing energy at work → B1900 Sc.
► MACKING working hard → 1990s African-American sl.
► MAIN hard work; a spell or turn at labour → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► MANUARY manual work, handicraft trade → 1581 obs.
► MIKE a respite from work → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► MIMICKING WORK work made to look well for a time, but not to last; work done with bad material → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► MISH hard work, in the sense of a ‘mission’ → 2000s NZ sl.
► MONKEY WORK unimportant, repetitive, or unsatisfying work → 1830 US colloq.
► NANNICK light, irregular work → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NANNIKIN-JOB a piece of work requiring neatness and delicacy → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NANTLING petty, jobbing work → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NIXER work undertaken outside normal work, usually without an employer’s knowledge → 1994 Irish sl.
► OFFICE the place one works → L17 sl.
► OPERATION action, performance, work, deed → c1386 obs.
– something made; a product, work → 1616 obs.
► PAITER chatter, talk; a word → 1838 Sc.
► QUATTING-TIME the time for ceasing work→ 1835 Sc.
► QUEERACH the act of working in a weak, trifling manner; the act of nursing in an over-dainty manner → Bk1905 Sc.
► QUEETER the act of working in a weak, half-hearted, trifling manner → 1866 Sc.
► QUEETERAN the act of working lazily → 1866 Sc.
► RAIK a quantity of work done quickly → 1866 Sc.
► RANTER any piece of work badly done → BK1905 Sc.
► RINGER a complete workweek → 1969 Amer. dial.
► RUSTLING hard work; energetic striving; furious activity; bustle → 1872 US colloq.
► SCAMP work done in a hurried, lazy manner → Bk1904 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► SCHLEP ► SCHLEPP ► SHLEP ► SHLEPP a troublesome business or a piece of hard work → 1964 sl., chiefly US
► SCUTZ WORK ► SCUZZ WORK menial or unpleasant work → 1991 Amer. dial.
► SHITWORK work considered esp. by feminists to be menial or routine, esp. housework; routine work  → 1968 sl.
► SHOVELFUL O’ WORK a very little work → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► SHUTDOWN a stoppage of work; the temporary closing of a factory → Bk1974 Amer. sl.
► SLOG an act or period of hard work → 1888 UK sl.
► SWINKING a toiling; labour; hard work → 1225
► THRIFT work, occupation, employment, business → 1798 Sc.
► THRUT a through shift or turn of work more than usual length → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► TIE-UP a stoppage of work or business, esp. on account of a lock-out or strike → 1889
► TILTH labour, work, or effort directed to use or profitable ends → a1023 obs.
► TURN-TO a starting work or coming on duty → 1909
► UMGANG a turn or spell of work → 1538 obs. rare
► WALL-EYED JOB any work irregularly or ill done; also, any very irregular action → 1847 sl.
► YACCA ► YACKA ► YACKER ► YAKKA ► YAKKER hard work → 1888 Aust. sl.

PHRASES
► ALL CHIEFS AND NO INDIANS all bosses and no workers; a situation at work where everyone wants to give orders and no one wishes to work → Bk2004 
► BACK TO THE SALT MINES back to the workplace → Bk2006 US sl.
► DON’T STRAIN YOUR POOPER don’t work too hard → 1996 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► FLAT OUT LIKE A LIZARD DRINKING working non-stop → Bk1999 Aust. sl.
► FLAT TO THE BOARDS working non-stop → Bk1999 Aust. sl.
► NO PATERNOSTER, NO PENNY no work, no pay → M16 colloq.
► NOT TO BUY CLOTHES FOR THE BABY not to be accomplishing one’s task or getting one’s work done → 1946 Amer. dial.
► ON THE WALLABY ► ON THE WALLABY TRACK wandering about looking for work → 1865 Aust. sl.
► TRY TO WAKEN A DEAD HORSE said of one who is working in vain, or receiving no pay → 1889 Eng. dial.

VERBS
​​► ACT ONE’S BUTT OFF to work very hard → 1960s sl., orig. US
► AWM to waste time, to be idle; to move about aimlessly, to loiter, to lounge; to stand gaping and staring; to do work in a slovenly manner → 1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► BALL THE JACK to move rapidly or swiftly; to make haste; to go fast (said esp. of a railroad train); to work swiftly or energetically → 1913 Amer. sl.
► BASH AWAY to work vigorously → 1881 Eng. dial.
► BATTLE to struggle for a living, to work hard despite troubles and exhibit courage in doing so → 1895 Aust sl.
► BELABOUR to labour at, to work at; to exert one’s strength or ability upon → 1604 obs.
► BEND ONE’S BACK to work hard → 1920s Aust. sl.
► BESWINK to labour for, to work for → 1377 obs.
► BETRAVAIL to work for; to earn by labour → 1393 obs.
► BILDER to work hard → Bk1898 Eng. dial.
► BILL to work hard → 1790 Eng. dial.
► BLUITER to work clumsily; to spoil work in the doing of it → Bk1911 Sc.
► BOMMEL to work confusedly → Bk1911 Sc.
► BRAISSIL ► BRASSLE to work hurriedly → Bk1911 Sc.
► BREAK ONE’S ARSE ► BREAK ONE’S ASS to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1930s sl.
► BREAK ONE’S TAIL to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1930s sl.
► BUCKLE TO IT to hurry; to work fast → 1848 Amer. dial.
► BUD ► BUD IN to work → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► BULLOCK to work strenuously without intermission → 1888 Aust.
► BUNDY ON to begin work → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► BURK to avoid work → L19 sl., orig. NZ
► BURN UP ONE’S TAIL to work very hard → 1954 Amer. dial.
► BUST A NUT to word hard to achieve something; to strain oneself → 1936 sl.
► BUST ONE’S ARSE ► BUST ONE’S ASS to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1941 sl.
► BUST ONE’S BANANAS to work to the limits of one’s ability and strength → 1970s US sl.
► BUST ONE’S BUNS to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1930s sl.
► BUST ONE’S BUTT to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1930s sl.
► BUST ONE’S CHOPS to work hard → 1950s US sl.
► BUST ONE’S CONK to work very hard → 1930s African-American sl.
► BUST ONE’S PANTS to work extremely hard; to put in a great effort → 1930s sl.
► BUTTON UP THE DAY to quit work for the day → 20C US sl.
► BYSWENKE to work hard; to exert oneself, to labour → a1400 obs.
► CA’ CANNY to go easy; to proceed warily or cautiously; to go slow; deliberately to restrict output or effort → Sc.
► CHIPPY to work halfheartedly or without serious purpose → 1974 Amer. sl.
► CHORE to work → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► CONK OFF to stop work; to rest when one should work → 1950s Amer. sl.
► COO FOR MOO to work for money → Bk1947 Amer. sl.
► COP A SLAVE ► COP THE SLAVE to work, to go out and find work → 20C African-American sl.
► DACKER to work in an irregular or pottering way → 1703 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► DAFFLE to do odd jobs, any sort of light work → Bk1900 Eng. dial.
► DAIDLE to mismanage; to do any work in a slovenly way → 1808 Sc. obs.
► DAIGLE to proceed, act, or work laggardly; to idle → 1827 Sc.
► DANCE ON THE CARPET to be called into a superior’s office for questioning about possible misconduct or poor work performance → 1946 US sl.
► DARG to work by the day; to toil; generally applied to agricultural labour, as opening drains, trenching, etc. → 1866 Sc.
► DAYLIGHT to work at a second job during the day → 1970s Amer. sl.
► DELVE to work hard, to slave, to drudge → 1888 Eng. dial.
► DIE, DOG, OR EAT THE HATCHET to work hard or suffer the consequences; to fend for oneself, to struggle for existence → 1903 Amer. dial.
► DIG to work hard, esp. for an examination → 1827 US sl.
► DIG OUT to work cheerfully and with a will; to make a real effort → 1987 UK military usage
► DILDER to trifle, to waste time, to work carelessly → Bk1900 Sc.
► DING to work hard → Bk1900 Sc.
► DO A MIKE to pretend to be working; to hang about → Bk1892 Aust. sl.
► DO A TAP OF WORK to do the smallest amount of work → 1884 Amer. dial.
► DODGE THE COLUMN to shirk; to avoid work → Amer. World War I sl.
► DOG IT to work hard → 20C teen & high school sl.
► DRAW THE DEAD HORSE to work at a job that doesn’t bring in any profits, but must be done → M19 sl.
► DROIL to drudge, to slave, to toil in mean work; to work sluggishly or slowly; to plod → 1591 obs.
► DUFF ► DUFF IN to work hard → 1996 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► EAT, PIG, OR DIE to work hard or suffer the consequences; to fend for oneself, to struggle for existence → 1835 Amer. dial.
► ELT to work persistently or laboriously; to be occupied in working in the earth, to rake among dirt → 1877 Sc.
► ENDEAVOUR FOR to work, to labour → Bk1900 Eng. dial.
► EYEBALL to work extremely hard, esp. at a gruelling manual task; to exert oneself to the fullest extent → 1848 Aust. colloq. obs.
► FAFFLE to saunter, to trifle; to fumble, to work dilatorily → Bk1900 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► FAG to do something that wearies one; to work hard; to labour, to strain, to toil → 1772
► FAKE FOR CAKE to work for a living → 1958 Amer. dial.
► FALL TO WORK to being working → 1551 obs.
► FASSIL to loiter, to waste time, to work lazily → Bk1900 Eng. dial.
► FAUCH to work with speed; to toil, esp. with little result → 1866 Sc.
► FAUCHLE to work lazily or listlessly, to work with difficulty, to work in a helpless, bungling fashion → 1824 Sc.
► FLY THE FLAG to post a notice that workmen are needed → c1860 tailors’ sl.
► GET IN THE COLLAR to start working; to work hard → 1967 Amer. dial.
► GET ONE’S NOSE DOWN to work hard and concentratedly → 1962
► GO TO THE SITE to go to work → Bk1971 US students’ sl.
► GOOF to dawdle, to waste time, to avoid work → 1950s sl.
► GRAFT to work hard → 1859 sl.
► GROBBLE to work in an inefficient way; to do rough, dirty work → Bk1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GROUT to work or study hard → c1870 UK sl.
► GRUNT to do menial work → 1930s US sl.
► GUGGLE to work in a bungling way → 1914 Eng. dial.
► GUSHEL to work untidily → Bk1900 Sc. (Bk.)
► HACK to work hard → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► HAG to overwork and underpay, to ‘sweat’ → 1891
► HAGGLE to over-work, to fatigue, to tire out → Bk1905 Amer. dial.
► HAMMER to work or walk in a clumsy, noisy manner; to stumble → a1786 Sc.
► HANA to work, to make → 1951 Hawaii
► HASHTER to work in a hurried, slovenly, and wasteful manner → Bk1902 Sc.
► HAVE ONE’S COATTAILS OUT STRAIGHT to be working hard → 1936 Amer. dial.
► HAWM to waste time, to be idle; to move about aimlessly, to loiter, to lounge; to stand gaping and staring; to do work in a slovenly manner → 1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► HEAVE TO to hurry, to exert oneself energetically, to start working very hard → 1967 Amer. dial.
► HIT THE BALL to work hard and effectively; to perform satisfactorily or well → 1919 US sl.
► HOE ONE’S ROW to do one’s own work → Bk1905 Amer. dial.
► HUSSLE ► HUSTLE to work hard, to make an effort → L19 US sl.
– to urge someone to work harder → 20C sl.
► INDUSTHER to work hard; to be industrious → 1880 N. Ireland
► KEEGER to mix up messily, to mess about, to work in a slovenly, dirty, or ineffective way, to puddle, to potter → 1903 Sc.
► KEEP A DOG AND BARK ONESELF to do the work for which one employs others; often in a negative context → 1583
► KEEP BANKER’S HOURS to be tardy to work → Bk1942 Amer. sl.
► KEEP UP TO THE COLLAR to stay hard at work, or to make someone else stay hard at work → M19 sl.
– to be overwhelmed by one’s work → 1910s sl.
► KEEP YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE to be studying hard, working hard → 1828 UK
► KIGGER to mix up messily, to mess about, to work in a slovenly, dirty, or ineffective way, to puddle, to potter → 1903 Sc.
► KWEECHER ► QUEECHER to mix up messily, to mess about, to work in a slovenly, dirty, or ineffective way, to puddle, to potter → 1903 Sc.
► LABOUR ONE’S NEEDS to work for one’s livelihood → c1400 obs.
► LAM ON to work fast → 1848 Amer. dial.
► LAY DOWN ONE’S BONE to work hard, to put forth one’s energy → Bk1902 Sc.
► LAY DOWN ONE’S LUGS to work hard, to put forth one’s energy → Bk1902 Sc.
► LAY IN to exert oneself, to work hard → 1929 Amer. dial.
► LEATHER AWAY to work hard → 1869
► LEATHER ON to work hard → 1893
► LEVEL DOWN to work away → 1928 Amer. dial.
► LIGHT IN to begin work vigorously → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► LINGE to work so violently as to cause exhaustion → Bk1902 Eng. dial.
► LINK IN to work as fast as possible → 1902 Amer. dial.
► MANK to pretend to work, to gossip → 1864 Eng. dial.
► MANURE to work upon with the hand; to work up → 1431 obs.
► MARROW to be a partner or fellow-worker → 1538 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► MEET THE MAN to go to work → 1910s sl.
► MELT ONE’S GREASE to work very hard → M19 sl.
► MOIL to toil, to labour, to work hard, to drudge → 1777 Sc. & Eng. dial.  
► MOVE LIKE A TOAD IN A TAR BUCKET to work very slowly → 1996 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► MUCKLE AWAY to work hard, to slop → 1916 Amer. dial.
► MUDGE ► MUDGE ALONG to move along slowly; to work in a leisurely way → 1950 Amer. dial.
► MULLOCK to work shoddily → 1893 Aust.
► NAFF to work in a weak, trifling manner; to trifle, to be frivolous → Bk1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► NAG to work in a slow, laborious but assiduous manner; to toil → 1866 Sc.
► NAGER to work hard; to work laboriously and clumsily → 1863 Eng. dial.
► NANNICK to do light, irregular work; to change one’s employment frequently → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NANTLE to work feebly, languidly, or imperfectly; to potter about; to move slowly and feebly → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NATTER to work slowly and ineffectually; to potter → 1908 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► NATTLE to work slowly, to dawdle, to trifle → 1908 Sc.
► NECK to work very hard → 1967 Aust. sl.
► NESTLE to trifle; to do light work or odd jobs → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► NIFLE to trifle, to waste time, or spend it in doing trifling things; to idle or loaf; to work at a slow pace → Bk1790 Eng. dial.
► OCCASION to do temporary or occasional work; to apply for such work → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► PACK GUTS TO A BEAR to work at dishonourable employment → 1903  Amer. dial.
► PACK GUTS TO A GOOSE to work at dishonourable employment → 1927 Amer. dial.
► PAN TO to begin to work, to set to work with energy → 1790 Eng. dial.
► PAY UP to work with energy → Bk1903 Sc. 
► PICK AND MELL to set to work vigorously; to make use of all the means within one’s power → Bk1905 Sc.
► PILE OUT to get up and go to work → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► PLAY A DEAD HORSE to work for wages already paid → M17 sl.
► PLAY AT BLINDMAN’S HOLIDAY to attempt to work in the dark → 1839 Eng. dial.
► PLY THE LABOURING OAR to take a great or arduous share of the work → 1894
► POLE to work hard → M19 US students’ sl.
► PRESS THE BRICKS to walk the streets in search of work → 20C US sl.
► PULL A DEAD HORSE to work for wages already paid → M17 sl.
► PULL THE LABOURING OAR to take a great or arduous share of the work → 1900
► PUNCH THE BUNDY to begin work → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► PUT THROUGH A COURSE OF SPROUTS to subject to hard work; to make one do certain hard things; to subject to hard discipline → 19C Amer. dial.
► PUT IN ONE’S BEST LICKS to work hard; to do one’s best → 1851 Amer. dial.
► PUT IN ONE’S LICKS to work hard; to do one’s best → 1847 Amer. dial.
► PUT YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE to start studying hard, working hard → 1828 UK
► QUEECHER to work in a lazy, unsatisfactory way → Bk1905 Sc.
► QUEERACH to do any kind of work in a weak, trifling manner; to nurse in an over-dainty manner → Bk1905 Sc.
► QUEETER to work lazily and languidly, to trifle, to waste time → 1866 Sc.
► RABBLE to work in a hurried slovenly manner; to do anything in a confused, hasty manner→ 1862 Eng. dial.
► RACK ► RACK IT to work hard → 1940s US students’ sl.
► RAIK to work energetically and speedily; to plough through a task → 1866 Sc.
► RAM AWAY ► RAM INTO to work with vigour and energy → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► RATTLE to work or do anything with energy and speed → 1861 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► RAWHIDE to overwork or mistreat workers or machinery → 1930 Amer. dial.
► RIBBLE to work hastily and carelessly; to do anything in a confused manner → Bk1904 Sc.
► RIDE A DEAD HORSE to work without profit → Bk1904 Eng. dial.
► RIDE THE DEAD HORSE to work to pay off a debt → 19C Aust., NZ, & US sl.
► RIDE THE GRUB LINE to travel about looking for work, esp. odd jobs → 1899 Amer. West usage
► SAUNTER to loiter over one’s work, to dawdle → 1673 obs.
► SCAFFLE to work hard for a livelihood → Bk1904 Eng. dial.
► SCAMBLE of work: to do carelessly and hurriedly → Bk1904 Eng. dial.
► SCAMP to do carelessly; to do work badly, inefficiently, or with bad materials; to shirk work → 1851 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
► SCHLEP ► SCHLEPP ► SHLEP ► SHLEPP to work hard → 1963 sl., chiefly US
► SCLATCH to work in a dirty messy manner; to make or construct clumsily or untidily; to use in a slipshod or careless way; to botch → 1808 Sc.
► SCODGE to do rough menial work; to act as a drudge; to do odd jobs → 1808 Sc.
► SCOW to plunge; to set to work without delay → Bk1904 Eng. dial.
► SCRAFFLE to work hard with small success; to struggle for a living; to be industrious → 1831 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► SCRATCH GRAVEL to hurry; to work hard; to exert oneself → 1834 Amer. dial.
► SCRIM ► SKRIM to bustle about; to work with energy and success; to conduct a vigorous search for anything → Bk1904 Sc.
► SCROBBLE to struggle hard for a livelihood; to work hard with small success; to ‘rub along’ as best one can → 1890 Eng. dial.
► SHED to work very hard, esp. when cramming for an exam or test → 1982 US students’ sl.
► SHOVEL SHIT to work in a menial job → Bk1999 Aust. sl.
► SLOG to work hard at something → 1888 UK sl.
► SLOG IT OUT to work hard at some activity → 1971 Aust. sl.
► SLOG YOUR GUTS OUT to work hard at something → 1984 UK sl.
► SNATCH IT to quit work taking the wages due → 1911 Aust. sl.
► SNATCH YOUR TIME to quit work taking the wages due → 1916 Aust. sl.
► SPLIT A GUT to strain or work very hard; to exert maximum effort → 1953 Amer. sl.
► SPUDDLE to work feebly or ineffectively → 1630 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► STRAP to work → Bk1904 sl.
► SWEAT BLOOD to work very hard → 1911 US sl.
► SWEAT BULLETS to work very hard → 1970s US sl.
► SWEAT ONE’S GUTS OUT to work extremely hard; to make one’s maximum effort → 1890 colloq.
► SWEAT ONE’S TAIL OFF to work very hard → 1920s sl., orig. US
► TACKLE TO to work vigorously on → 1874 Sc.
► TAKE OFF to cease work → Bk1905 Eng. dial. 
► TAKE OUT to stop working, to take a break → 1899 Amer. dial.
► TAKE THE DAY OFF TO CARRY BRICKS to take a day off to do some of one’s own work, e.g. do-it-yourself → 1970s NZ sl.
► TAKE THE RAG OUT to hurry; to start working → 1927 Amer. dial.
► TEAR OUT THE BONE ► TEAR THE BONE OUT to make an extraordinary effort; to work very hard; to do anything thoroughly → 1887 Amer. dial.
► TEAR to work hard and strenuously; to do anything with great speed and energy → 1843 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► TEEM ON to work with great energy and speed → B1900 Sc.
► TELECOMMUTE to work from one’s home, working with a computer, and often hooked up to the main office → 1990s US sl.
► TEW to toil, to labour; to work hard; to pull, to struggle; to contend, to strive → 1866 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► TILL to strive, to exert oneself, to labour, to work → c897 obs.
► TIRD to work energetically → 1892 Sc.
► TOIL AND MOIL to work practically without relief → 1868 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► TUG THE LABOURING OAR to take a great or arduous share of the work → 1697
► TYMER to work idly → 1440 obs.
► UNDERN to work in the after-part of the day → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► UNDERWORK to work for less than normal → 18C US
► VARG to work in dirty conditions, to perform a messy task → 1908 Sc.
► WARM IT TO ANYBODY OR ANYTHNG to strike or work hard → Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
► WIRE IN to begin work vigorously → 1910 Ireland (Bk.)
► WORK AT ARM’S LENGTH to work at a disadvantage or clumsily → 19C sl.
► WORK BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET to work exceptionally hard → 1990s US sl.
► WORK BY THE HAG to do piece-work in contradistinction to day-work → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► WORK DOUBLE TIDES to work as hard as possible → 1788
► WORK FOR A DEAD HORSE to work for wages already paid → M17 sl.
► WORK FOR THE QUEEN to work overtime without receiving extra pay → Bk1905 Eng. dial.
► WORK LIKE A BEAVER vb. to work hard → a1775 US
► WORK LIKE A BLACK to work very hard → M19 sl.
► WORK LIKE A CHINAMAN to work very hard → M19 sl.
► WORK LIKE A DOG to work extremely hard → 1666
► WORK LIKE A KAFFIR to work very hard → 1970s S. Afr. sl.
► WORK LIKE A NIG to work very hard → M19 sl.
► WORK LIKE A NIGGER to work very hard → M19 sl.
► WORK LIKE DIGGORY to work hard → 1892 Ireland
► WORK OFF THE DEAD HORSE to work to pay off a debt → 19C Aust., NZ, & US sl.
► WORK ONE’S ARSE OFF  ► WORK ONE’S ASS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S BALLS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S BOLLOCKS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S BUNS OFF to work very hard → 1940s Amer. sl.
► WORK ONE’S BUTT OFF to work very hard → 1960s sl., orig. US
► WORK ONE’S CAN OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S EYEBALLS OUT to work extremely hard, esp. at a gruelling manual task; to exert oneself to the fullest extent → 1835 Aust. colloq.
► WORK ONE’S FANNY OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S FINGERS TO THE BONE to work very hard
► WORK ONE’S GUTS OUT to work extremely hard → colloq.
► WORK ONE’S MEALIE OFF to work very hard → 1990s S. Afr. sl.
► WORK ONE’S NUTS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S OWN ASH-HOPPER to do one’s own work → 1843 Amer. dial.
► WORK ONE’S PANTS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK ONE’S TAIL OFF to work very hard → 1920s sl., orig. US
► WORK ONE’S TITS OFF to work extremely hard → 1920s sl.
► WORK WITH THE LEFT HAND to work inefficiently → 1650 obs.
► WRITE UP to report a worker for inadequate work or a misdemeanour → 1920s US sl.
► YAKKA ► YAKKER to work hard, to labour → L19 Aust. sl.
► YARK ► YERK to move quickly or hastily; to push on; to do anything energetically; to work hard → 1843 Sc. & Eng. dial.