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3. make short work of

make short work of

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make short work of someone or something

 and make fast work of someone or something

to finish with someone or something quickly. I made short work of Tom so I could leave the office to play golf. Billy made fast work of his dinner so he could go out and play.

See also: make, of, short, work

make short work of somebody/something

to deal with someone or something quickly We made short work of the food that was put in front of us. The boxer made short work of his challenger.

See also: make, of, short, work

make short work of something

to deal with or finish something quickly We made short work of the food that was put in front of us.

See also: make, of, short, work

make short work of

Complete or consume quickly, as in The children made short work of the ice cream, or They made short work of cleaning up so they could get to the movies. This term, first recorded in 1577, in effect means "to turn something into a brief task."

See also: make, of, short, work