busywork

[ biz-ee-wurk ]
/ ˈbɪz iˌwɜrk /

noun

work assigned for the sake of looking or keeping busy.

Origin of busywork

First recorded in 1840–50; busy + work

Words nearby busywork

busy lizzie, busy signal, busy work, busybody, busyness, busywork, but, but and ben, but for, but good, but-

Idioms and Phrases with busy work

busy work

Activity meant to take up time but not actually be productive. For example, We have to put in an eight-hour day, even if we do nothing but busy work. [c. 1840]