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homework
do (one's) homework
1. Literally, to complete school work that has been assigned to be done at home. You can't watch any more television until you do your homework!
2. To be thoroughly prepared and informed for something, such as a meeting, interview, or report. Be sure you do your homework before heading into that meeting; there's a lot at stake, and no one's going to like it if you aren't up to speed.
(The) dog ate my homework
A poor excuse for something that someone has failed to do on time. (From an excuse a student might give for failing to turn in homework on time. Occurs in many variations.) The dog ate my homework, so I have nothing to turn in. (Used as an attributive.) Bob was late with his report and had nothing but his typical dog-ate-my-homework excuses.
do your homework
to learn everything you need to know before doing something If you had done your homework, you would have known it was a silly question to ask.
do your homework
to make careful preparations so that you know all you need to know about something and are able to deal with it successfully They hadn't done their homework, or they'd have known it was a waste of time asking her that question.
do one's homework
Be well prepared, as in Steve had done his homework before the meeting and could answer all of the client's questions . This usage transfers a school assignment to a broader context. [c. 1930]