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thankless work

[/ˈθæŋklɪs wɜːrk/]
noun phrase
trabalho ingrato
1. Work or labor that is unappreciated, unrewarded, or for which one receives no gratitude or recognition despite effort and dedication
Cleaning up after the party was thankless work, and nobody even said thank you.
Limpar a bagunça da festa foi um trabalho ingrato, e ninguém sequer disse obrigado.
2. A task that is tedious, difficult, or unpleasant with little prospect of acknowledgment or compensation
Teaching often feels like thankless work when students don't appreciate your efforts.
Ensinar muitas vezes parece um trabalho ingrato quando os alunos não apreciam seus esforços.
NYC Slang
a thankless gig
Synonyms
unappreciated workunrewarding workungrateful tasklabor of futilitySisyphean task
Antonyms
rewarding workappreciated workgratifying laborrecognized effort

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
trabalho ingrato
Most common and widely understood expression
São Paulo
trabalho sem reconhecimento
Alternative phrasing emphasizing lack of recognition
Rio de Janeiro
trampo ingrato
Informal variation using 'trampo' for work
Portugal
trabalho ingrato
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also 'trabalho não reconhecido'

Related Idioms & Phrases

labor of love gone wrong
beating a dead horse
casting pearls before swine
work without recognition
unsung hero
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