make-work
[ meyk-wurk ]
/ ˈmeɪkˌwɜrk /
noun
work, usually of little importance, created to keep a person from being idle or unemployed.
Origin of make-work
1935–40,
Americanism; noun use of verb phrase
make work
Words nearby make-work
make-do,
make-or-break,
make-peace,
make-ready,
make-up,
make-work,
makeba,
makebate,
makedhonia,
makefast,
makeless
Cultural definitions for make-work
make-work
Publicly provided employment that is designed primarily to relieve unemployment and only incidentally to accomplish important tasks. If private employers are hiring few people because of a business slump, the government can “make work” for people to do.