| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| work cut out for |
a lot of work to do, difficult tasks to do, a hard row to hoe
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If you want to be a chartered accountant, you have your work cut out for you.
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| work ethic |
belief that you must work; that work is good for you
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Do you believe that Canadians have a strong work ethic?
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| work it out |
solve it, try to agree
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My teacher and I disagree about my grade, but we can work it out.
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| work my buns off |
work hard every day, work your ass off [B]
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I work my buns off while he sits around and makes phone calls!
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| work my fingers to the bone |
work so hard that I become thin and weak
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I worked my fingers to the bone to help my kids get an education.
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| work of art |
beautiful painting or carving etc.
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Every rug she weaves is a work of art.
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| work off |
exercise to reduce stress or emotion or fat
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Cycling is a good way to work off stress.
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| work out |
succeed, go as planned, pan out
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Did the recipe work out? Did the cake taste good?
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| work out |
exercise to become fit or to prepare for competition, workout
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Come down to my exercise room. I'll show you where I work out.
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| work the room |
move around the room trying to meet people who can help you
in your career or business, shmooze
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We watched Tony work the room - glass in hand, smiling and
chatting with anybody who might become a client or an ally.
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