donkey work
Unglamorous hard toil
Donkey work is hard, tedious labor—the unglamorous tasks that require effort but little skill or creativity.
The donkey is the beast of burden, and donkey work is what gets loaded onto whoever draws the short straw: The interns did the donkey work while the partners took the credit.
British in origin but understood widely.
Laborious persistent effort
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- grindCrush into particles
- choresRoutine household tasks
- laboriousRequiring considerable effort
grueling · backbreaking · arduous · strenuous · tiresome · wearisome · plodding · exertion
Not rewarded with appreciation
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unappreciatedNot given due recognition
- invisibleCannot be seen
unsung · uncredited · unacknowledged · behind-the-scenes · unrewarded · neglected · disregarded · unnoticed
Marked by recurrence
- monotonousUnchangingly dull
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- boringFailing to engage interest
- dullLacking edge or interest
humdrum · uninspiring · mind-numbing · unvarying · mechanical · unexciting · dreary · prosaic
Devoted to steady effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
conscientious · tireless · steadfast · dogged · persistent · patient · methodical · painstaking
Domestic cleaning duties
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- moppingCleaning floors with water
- dishwashingCleaning soiled tableware
laundry · scrubbing · dusting · filing · data entry · photocopying · sorting · fetching
slog
Laborious persistent effort
laborious · grueling · backbreaking · arduous · strenuous · tiresome · wearisome · plodding · exertion · effort
thankless
Not rewarded with appreciation
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- unappreciatedNot given due recognition
invisible · unsung · uncredited · unacknowledged · behind-the-scenes · unrewarded · neglected · disregarded · unnoticed · uncelebrated
repetitive
Marked by recurrence
- monotonousUnchangingly dull
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- boringFailing to engage interest
dull · humdrum · uninspiring · mind-numbing · unvarying · mechanical · unexciting · dreary · prosaic · soul-destroying
industrious
Devoted to steady effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
reliable · conscientious · tireless · steadfast · dogged · persistent · patient · methodical · painstaking · assiduous
housework
Domestic cleaning duties
dishwashing · laundry · scrubbing · dusting · filing · data entry · photocopying · sorting · fetching · janitorial
- laborlabor, labor union, labor force, laborers, labor movement
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
donkey workcreative work
Original artistic production
strategic thinking · artistry · skilled labor · craftsmanship · blue-sky thinking
work, worker, working, works, donkey, worked, workout, workable, workforce