legwork

[ leg-wurk ]

noun

1. work or research involving extensive walking or traveling about, usually away from one's office, as in gathering data for a book, a legal action, etc.
2. action of the legs as executed by an athlete, dancer, etc.

legwork

/ ˈlɛɡˌwɜːk /

noun

1. informal.
   work that involves travelling on foot or as if on foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of legwork¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; leg + work

Example Sentences

Even if you do some of the legwork yourself, always rely on the agent’s expertise for negotiating.

From Salon

“You really have to do the legwork,” he said.

From New York Times

It is billed as a product that "can take the legwork out of searching" though users are warned it is experimental.

From BBC

The Netflix film pushes into the foreground some of those who make the news but don't make the news - the behind-the-scenes producers and those who do the legwork of booking guests.

From BBC

Bass may choose one from the list, or ask the commission to do more legwork and come up with more names.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• audit
• checking
• checkup
• cross-examination
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• experiment
• exploration
• inquiry
• inspection
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• investigation
• observation
• probe
• questioning
• questionnaire
• raid
• research
• review
• scan
• scrutiny