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busywork
[/ˈbɪzi.wɜːrk/]
noun
pl: busywork (uncountable)
trabalho improdutivo
1.
Tasks or activities that keep someone occupied but do not produce meaningful results or add real value
The teacher assigned busywork to keep the students occupied while she graded papers.
A professora atribuiu trabalho improdutivo para manter os alunos ocupados enquanto ela corrigia provas.
2.
Work that appears productive but is primarily done to fill time rather than accomplish important goals
Filing documents alphabetically is often considered busywork in modern offices with digital systems.
Arquivar documentos alfabeticamente é frequentemente considerado trabalho improdutivo em escritórios modernos com sistemas digitais.
NYC Slang
make-work; also used in corporate contexts as 'busy work' (two words)
Synonyms
make-work
time-filling task
mindless task
padding
filler activity
Antonyms
meaningful work
productive work
essential task
important project
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
trabalho improdutivo
Most common translation across Brazil
General Brazilian
trabalho sem propósito
Alternative emphasizing lack of purpose
Portugal
trabalho improdutivo
Standard usage in Portugal
Portugal
ocupação estéril
More formal alternative
Related Idioms & Phrases
keep someone busy
make work for oneself
fill the hours
spin your wheels
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