grunt work

noun

, Slang.

1. work that is repetitious, often physically exhausting, and boring.

Example Sentences

"Roseanne" peeled back the veneer around the grunt work of parenting and allowed ongoing problems in the family to stay messy and unresolved.

From Salon

Such grunt work has long been a rite of passage in investment banking, an industry at the top of the corporate pyramid that lures thousands of young people every year with the promise of prestige and pay.

From New York Times

Experts say programs like this one can also take over some grunt work for music professionals if they want to focus on one project but let AI assist with the assignments they need to pay the bills and meet tight deadlines.

From Washington Times

The rest is more teamwork — and grunt work.

From Los Angeles Times

And actual forestry work itself — the light-intensity grunt work of planting, pruning, hauling saplings and tromping around a bit — was found to specifically improve participants’ sense that they themselves have been mentally and emotionally restored.

From Salon