Make short work of something/somebody Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Use Used in casual conversation rather than formal speech or writing. He made short work of cleaning his room so we could go out sooner. Pro Tip 2/3Speed Implication Implies completing a task faster than expected. The team made short work of the project and impressed the client. Pro Tip 3/3Ease Suggested Suggests the task was not only quick but also easy to accomplish. She made short work of the math problems, finding them simple.