A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

work at something • work on something
work at something —be busy or occupied with smth.; apply
one’s efforts to smth.: Is Tom still working at the new book
that he promised?
work on something —
1
. = work at something: I’m presently
working on the new book, another suspense novel, after which
I plan to write a book for aspiring writers. 2. influence smth.;
have an effect on smth.: Acebutolol is taken orally so that it
works on the central nervous system of those prone to heart
attacks.
work in with someone • work with someone
work in with someone —join in work with other people: I’m
prepared to work in with them and fit in with their work
schedule.
work with someone —
1
. work in the company of other peo-
ple: Independent doesn’t mean “loner,” so he should be able
to work with the other members of the department. 2. have
a person or a group as the object of one’s work: Michelle finds
it very rewarding to work with children and would like to be
a kindergarten teacher.
work like a beaver • work like a dog
work like a beaver —work eagerly and vigorously: We woke
up late and then had to work like beavers to get our cases
packed before the train left.
work like a dog —(also: work like a horse) work very hard:
I’ve been working like a dog all day, and I’m dead tired.
work load • working load
work load —the amount of work assigned for completion
within a certain time: Traffic growth has increased the pressure
on both pilots and controllers, so that means have had to be
found to reduce their workload.
working load —the maximum physical load that a device is
designed to bear: Minor changes in the boom angle can lead
to large variations in the working load of the crane and bring
about an unsafe condition.