WORKHORSE Definition & Meaning

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workhorse

[ wurk-hawrs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.
a person who works tirelessly at a task, assumes extra duties, etc.

workhorse

/ ˈ��ɜː��ˌ��ɔː�� /

a horse used for nonrecreational activities
informal.
a person who takes on the greatest amount of work in a project or job

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First recorded in 1535–45; work + horse

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Examples have not been reviewed.

Female friendship has become the emotional workhorse of modern drama and comedy, but it’s tough to think of one more vividly depicted than this one.

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She says she felt like a “workhorse” in all those jobs except for the one she has now.

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I can’t describe it, but I felt like a workhorse blocking out a lot of the noise.

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A new version of the long-haul workhorse, it was already years late but had been expected to start operating in 2025.

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"We're sick and tired of being workhorses for people," she said.

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