donkey work
noun
Informal.
tedious, repetitious work; drudgery.
Also
don·key·work
[dong-kee-wurk, dawng‐, duhng‐] /ˈdɒŋ kiˌwɜrk, ˈdɔŋ‐, ˈdʌŋ‐/.
Origin of donkey work
First recorded in 1915–20
Words nearby donkey work
donkey derby,
donkey engine,
donkey jacket,
donkey topsail,
donkey vote,
donkey work,
donkey's tail,
donkey's years,
donkey-lick,
donkey-work,
donko
British Dictionary definitions for donkey-work
donkey-work
noun
groundwork
drudgery
US equivalent: draft-mule work