mercenary work
[/ˈmɜːrsəneri wɜːrk/]
noun phrasepl: mercenary works
trabalho mercenário
1. Work performed primarily for money or profit, often without regard to morality, ethics, or personal passion
He took on mercenary work as a security consultant, caring only about the paycheck.
Ele assumiu um trabalho mercenário como consultor de segurança, importando-se apenas com o salário.
2. Employment by soldiers of fortune or military contractors for payment
The soldiers engaged in mercenary work across several conflict zones.
Os soldados realizavam trabalho mercenário em várias zonas de conflito.
3. Any professional service undertaken solely for monetary compensation without ideological commitment
Writing commercial jingles felt like mercenary work compared to her passion for poetry.
Escrever jingles comerciais parecia um trabalho mercenário comparado à sua paixão pela poesia.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'mercenary work' carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of passion or ethical compromise. In Brazil, this phrase is often used critically when discussing corporate work disconnected from social values. In the USA, it's frequently applied to military contractors and corporate jobs. The term reflects a cultural tension between pragmatic survival and idealistic pursuits.
NYC Slang
gig work for the money
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