busywork
noun[U]
uk/ˈbɪz.i.wɜːk/us/ˈbɪz.i.wɜː˞k/workthat you are given or give yourselfmainlyso that you have something to do,ratherthan because it is reallynecessary:
消磨时间的工作They were given ataskbut noresources, and theyperceivedtheassignmentas busywork.给他们分配了一项任务，但并没有配套资源，他们觉得这不过是让他们不至于闲着没活儿干。
We were just making busywork totryandkeepourmindsoff things.我们随便找了些事情做，让脑子不去想那些事情。
- While hewaited, heorganizedhisfiles. The busyworkhelpedtake hismindoff theterribleeventsof the past fewdays.
- Thebigautomakers arereluctanttolayoffengineersduringdownturnsandtendto give them busywork.
- Students say that theprogramallowsfor too manyopen-endedquestionsonexamsand that manyassignmentsamountto busywork.
- Some of thepolicyproceduresareseenas busywork andcauseresentmentamong thestaff.
Delaying and wasting time
- ado
- buy timeidiom
- carry
- carrysomethingover
- dally
- dawdle
- inefficiently
- kick
- kicksomethinginto the long grassidiom
- kick the can down the roadidiom
- lag
- push
- retardation
- setsomeoneback(something)
- shelve
- sit
- sit onsomething
- slow roll
- spin
- stall
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Types of employment
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