• n. 為提供就業(yè)機會而安排的工作；為了不讓員工空閑而安排的不必要的工作

比喻用法。

make-work

1913 (adj.); 1937 (n.), "busy-work, activity of no value," American English, from the verbal expression to make work (see make (v.) + work (n.)).

A big fire devoured a street; "It will make work," I heard my father say; a ship was lost at sea laden with silk, and leather, and cloth; "It will make work," said my father; a reservoir broke jail, and swept the heart of the town away. "It will make work," my mother said; so all human calamities were softened blessings to me; they made "work," and work made wages, and wages made bread and potatoes, and clothes for me. ["The Radical Review," Chicago, Sept. 15, 1883]

1. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?

我們活著是為了什么？不就是給鄰居當笑柄，再反過來笑他們。

來自《傲慢與偏見》

2. Sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for better things.

有時候要到達谷底，才會慢慢變好。

來自金山詞霸 每日一句

3. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.

人生就應該是快樂的，要抓住每一天，孩子們，讓你們的生活變得非凡起來。

來自電影《死亡詩社》

4. These large institutions make — and change—the rules to suit themselves.

這些大機構總是隨意制定規(guī)定，而且說變就變。

來自柯林斯例句

5. Does this dress make my legs look too stumpy?

這條裙子會使我的腿看上去又短又粗嗎？

來自柯林斯例句