⚡ Make Short Work of It: Dispatching Tasks with Finesse 🚀
“To make short work of something” implies getting it done with surprising speed, almost with a magician’s flair. Since its first recorded use in 1577 by John Grange, it has latched onto our linguistic repertoire, evolving into a go-to phrase for both witticism and pragmatism.
Related and Similar Terms
- Short shrift: Originally meant a brief period of confession before execution; now, it means to dismiss someone or something with little consideration.
- Cut to the chase: Get directly to the important part.
- Wrap it up: Finish something quickly.
- Nip it in the bud: Stop something as early as possible.
Definition
To deal with or dispose of promptly.
Proverbs and Expressions
- “Kill two birds with one stone.” – Achieve two objectives with a single action.
- “Get it over and done with.” – Complete something so you no longer have to worry about it.
Humor-filled Quote
“Making short work of a boring lecture is the true measure of any student’s talent.”
Literature and References
- Book: “Algorithms to Live By” by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths – Efficiency at its peak.
- Song: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman – A story of tackling life’s challenges, albeit with some speed and drama.
- Movie: “Apollo 13” – Because making short work of problems in space is about as impressive as it gets.
Inspirational Farewell
May you always navigate life with the precision of a craftsman, making short work of your challenges while savoring every victory.
### Which of these phrases is synonymous with "make short work of"?
- [x] Dispatch promptly
- [ ] Dust it with care
- [ ] Puzzle it through
- [ ] Wax poetic
> **Explanation:** "Dispatch promptly" is synonymous with making short work of a task.
### What's another way of saying "make short work of it"?
- [ ] Exaggerate profoundly
- [ ] Stall and delay
- [x] Wrap it up
- [ ] Digress significantly
> **Explanation:** "Wrap it up" means to finish something quickly, much like making short work of a task.
### True or False: "Make short work of" dates back to the 1500s.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** The phrase indeed dates back to 1577, appearing in John Grange’s "The Golden Aphroditis."
