work as

work as (something)

1. To occupy some role or profession as a job. I actually loved working as a mailman—I get to meet lots of different people all around the city. I worked as a computer programmer when I got out of college before pivoting into video game design.
2. To have or achieve the same purpose or function as something else. The sauce I made for the pasta works equally well as a salad dressing, too. A: "I really don't have any use for these blank CDs anymore. What should I do with them?" B: "Well, they'll work as coasters for your drinks at the very least."
See also: work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

work as something

to work in the capacity of something. I worked as a waiter for a year when I was in college. I will work as a stockbroker for a while, and then move on to something else.
See also: work
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

work as

v.
1. To serve the purpose of something: The pegs on the wall work as coat hangers.
2. To do the work associated with someone or something: At night, I work as a waiter.
See also: work
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • work as (something)
  • profession
  • the oldest profession
  • busy work
  • in the line of duty
  • reappoint
  • reappoint (one) as (something)
  • reappoint as
  • a man of the people
  • a man/woman of the people
References in periodicals archive
To distinguish the social work discourse that they represent and teach from traditional civil affairs, social work scholars in China, strategically and sometimes uncritically, define social work as a helping activity that is guided by altruism, based on scientific knowledge, and employing scientific methods (M.
Despite the rapid increase in the number of social work programs in China in recent decades, the Chinese government did not officially proposed to accept social work as an occupation until July 2004.
The politics of indigenization: a case study of development of social work in China
73 applies whenever auditors use a specialist's work as evidential matter in performing substantive tests to evaluate material financial statement assertions, regardless of whether management engages or employs the specialist, management engages a specialist employed by the auditor's firm to provide advisory services or the auditor engages the specialist.
When auditors use specialists
But do we really have grounds to treat this work as a release from the perceived Puritanism of feminist ideology, or as a riotous celebration of a newly configured sexual body?
Bad girl blues
Another Iowa farm woman did little field work as a girl because she had three brothers.
Male youths worked primarily as hired men or in seasonal farm labor; female youths found work as domestic/farm laborers or as teachers.
Gender and the family labor system: defining work in the rural Midwest
Executives, particularly, now work as much as 20 percent longer than they did a decade ago (Kilborn, 1990).
Cultural and technological influences: an introduction
Although the various governmental entities are attempting to put out aw much work as possible, Coletti said, the competition is cut-throat, with prices coming in at 30 percent under estimates.
Taylor said its Tiger division is involved in smaller scale new construction and renovation work as well as interior fit-out work.
Construction update: where's the work?
Instead, involuntary part-time employment has propelled the upward trend in total part-time work since the early 1970s, largely because employers view part-time work as a means to cut labor costs, and not because workers want shorter schedules.9 With a sizable proportion of the workforce holding part-time jobs, it would seem that the aggregate amount of labor supplied could be increased by lengthening the workweek of those working part time.
Issues in labor supply
Such supports may be provided both on the job and outside of work as long as they are necessary for successfully maintaining employment.
Supported employment and vocational rehabilitation: merger or misadventure?
Eight of their clients with severe mental retardation work as electronic assemblers for Physio Control Corporation in Redmond, Washington (Rhodes & Valenta, 1985).
Meeting the vocational needs of individuals with psychiatric disabilities through supported employment