legwork

legwork

The physically or mentally demanding work required to do or accomplish something. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good job, but you've got to put in the legwork—one's not going to just fall into your lap. The case is so huge that I brought on a legal aid to help get through the legwork. I'm too old to do the gardening on my whole property, so each summer I hire a couple of local teenagers to do the legwork.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

legwork

the physical work accompanying a task. I don't mind making thephone calls if you do the legwork. I have a gopher to do the legwork for me.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

leg work

n. the physical work accompanying a task. I don’t mind making the phone calls if you do the leg work.
See also: leg, work
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a committee is a group of men who keep minutes and waste hours
  • group
  • be able to (do something) in (one's) sleep
  • be able to do something in your sleep
  • could (do something) with one hand tied behind (one's) back
  • blindfold
  • able to (do something) blindfolded
  • able to (do something) with (one's) eyes closed
  • able to do (something) standing on (one's) head
  • able to do blindfolded
References in periodicals archive
Mirren he Job Centre to e a J2 a talent to get Age should not become a barrier if you can find someone to do legwork to help you
Far too many go off to Naka's yard before their time
Under the terms of the financing, Charles Chen will join Jeff Weber and Korey Korfiatis on Legwork's board of directors.
Legwork secures USD17m in equity investment
But the biggest thanks goes to my team of volunteers for their tremendous help on the day, and my special thanks to my wife, Judith, who did all the legwork in the run-up to the event and on the day itself.
Thanks for support; Your say
| 4 Mr _______ of Westminster featured a character who had an iron lady boss called The Co-ordinator and a vicious action man called Blair to do his legwork. What's the missing name?
SCREEN TEST
CUTLINE: (1) Above, Moe and Donna Bracken of North Brookfield, who do a lot of legwork and publicity for the Hayloft Steppers, on the floor at a Sunday session.
Steppin' high
Choosing something a little bit different can be tricky, especially if you've left it to the last minute to be creative - so we've done the legwork for you and come up with some funky ideas to get you started.
Pick the perfect Father's Day present; 8 pages of great gift ideas for Father's Day
"Great Little Places is different to other guides, as it features little gems that might be hard to uncover if we hadn't carried out the legwork."
Chance to discover all those 'great little places' to stay
Legwork: Jonjo Rooney prepares for the the London Marathon
Jonjo to run marathon after Leukaemia battle
This pre-made set of models does the legwork by creating multiple "what if" scenarios and dashboards to provide clearer results, thus leading to better decision making in budgeting and strategic planning.
Model planner
John Abraham may have met dozens of Indian students in America to understand his role better, but Katrina Kaif did no such legwork. One of Bollywood's busiest actors, Kaif confesses that she relied on her director to understand her role.
Katrina Kaif's character is shocking
Partners Korfiatis, Meier, Weber and Anson anticipate the company's combined strengths will allow them to push their fledgling software and marketing product, Legwork, to a nationwide market level.
Marketing, computer firms merge: Saggezza, Firefly develop software for dentists and more
I also like the fact A&L have a Premier switching service as it means they do all the legwork for you and switch all the direct debits and standing orders over."
Your Money: Move means Christmas bonus; CASE STUDY
JAGUAR workers are yet again helping to raise money for a Nuneaton hospice - by paying for others to do the legwork.
Donation that will run and run!
LEGWORK: Stilt walkers entertain the crowds at the Metquarter's VIP shopping event Pictures; JASON ROBERTS jr130308; STYLE: A model takes to the catwalk at the shopping spectacular
Shoppers enjoy the high-life