working

To work in the evenings, as opposed to during the day. I used to work nights, but it took such a toll on my sleeping that I switched back to the day shift.

To work really hard (on or at something). I know you thought it was just a silly New Year's resolution, but I've been working my butt off at the gym! Sally and Jim work their butts off when we hold our user conference—I don't know what I'd do without them!

To use one's unique talents or charm to obtain a desired thing or outcome. I never thought the boss would approve our business trip, but Sam worked her magic, and now, we're off to Denver! Whenever I can't get my car running, I have my dad come over and work his magic on the engine.

To excite or entertain an audience. Man, that singer sure knows how to work a crowd! They're going wild for him! The keynote speaker was late, so I had to work the crowd for a while to stall.

To interact with many people at an event or function. Often, but not always, applied to business situations. At networking events, Ben totally works the room, with the goal of meeting as many people as he possibly can. At parties, my dad always works the room and chats with everyone, but I'm too shy for that.

To stay engaged in a task continuously. Often used when the task is long-term or plodding. Kate is working her way through college, but it's taken a while, as she's only been able to attend classes part-time. I have to work my way through any book I start, even if I don't like it very much.

A prostitute. The vice squad always patrols this area, looking to arrest any working girls on the street.

Of a machine, functional; not broken. I just picked up my car from the shop, and it's in working order again, thank goodness!

To manipulate something for one's personal gain (often financially). Primarily heard in UK. In order to win that much money gambling, he must have worked the oracle.

To work hard; to exert oneself. This now-outdated phrase refers to the collar on a beast of burden. I ended up doing most of the project myself because I didn't trust my partner to work up to the collar—he's lazy.

A harsh reprimand, often one that lasts a lengthy amount of time. She gave her teenage daughter a good working over for breaking curfew. I got a good working over from the professor after I submitted my project late.

a good scolding. (*Typically: get ~ have ~ give someone ∼.) The boss gave me a good working over before firing me. She got a working over about her performance on the project.

working hard at something. Tom's busy. He's hard at work on the lawn.

Fig. someone who works, especially in a nonmanagement position. (Originally and typically referring to males.) But does the working stiff really care about all this economic stuff? All the working stiffs want is a raise.

A hardworking employee. First heard in the 1930s, this phrase describes your average guy or gal who works at a not-very-interesting- or-stimulating job and for wages that mean a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. “Stiff ” might have come from muscle fatigues at the end of the day or week, but it's just as likely to be the slang word for “corpse,” which would reflect the idea of a working stiff in a dead-end job.