Donkey Work – Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking

When preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, using idiomatic expressions naturally and correctly can boost your score, especially in the Lexical Resource criterion. Today’s idiom, “Donkey Work,” is useful when describing hard, boring, or repetitive tasks.

Meaning of Donkey Work

Definition: Donkey work means doing the hard, monotonous, and unglamorous tasks that require effort but are often undervalued.

Origin of the Idiom Donkey Work

The phrase comes from the idea that donkeys are beasts of burden, traditionally used for carrying loads or doing tiring, heavy labor. Over time, donkey work became a metaphor for tedious or difficult jobs that others often avoid.

Usage of Donkey Work in Context

Here are some example sentences showing how the idiom is used in IELTS Speaking:

• “Lucy and I make a great team because I do all the donkey work, and she handles the paperwork.”
• “Why should I always do the donkey work while you get the fun tasks?”
• “Deano did his fair share of donkey work, but he also scored goals, proving his value to the team.”

Pro tip: Use this idiom when talking about tiring tasks, unfair work distribution, or part-time job experiences.

When to Use the Idiom Donkey Work

You can use this idiom in IELTS Speaking Part 1, Part 2, or IELTS Speaking Part 3 when:

• Talking about part-time or boring jobs.
• Describing situations where someone does repetitive or tiring tasks.
• Discussing teamwork, fairness, or work-life balance.

Idiom Scenarios

Scenario 1
Sam: Why do you always seem so busy at work?
Asha: Because I’m the one doing all the donkey work while my boss just takes the credit!

Scenario 2
Mia: Do you like your new part-time job?
Arjun: Not really, it’s mostly donkey work, stocking shelves and cleaning up.

Sample Answer Using the Idiom Donkey Work

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a part-time job that you have done.

Sample Answer:
“One of the part-time jobs I did during university was working in a supermarket. Honestly, most of it was donkey work—unpacking boxes, arranging products on shelves, and cleaning the aisles. Although it was tiring and repetitive, I learned how to manage my time better and stay disciplined. Even though I didn’t enjoy the donkey work, the experience taught me valuable skills.”

IELTS Vocabulary Tip for Donkey Work

Using idioms like donkey work makes your answers sound natural, expressive, and fluent. It’s especially effective when describing work, responsibilities, or personal experiences.

Exercise: Donkey Work

Multiple-Choice Question
Q1: “Why do I have to do all _______________ while you get to do the interesting stuff?”

a) fight like cat and dog
b) down at heel
c) the donkey work
d) bone of contention

Correct Answer: c) the donkey work

Mastering idioms like donkey work not only enriches your vocabulary but also helps you sound more natural and fluent in IELTS Speaking. If you’re aiming for a higher band score, make sure to practice idioms in context and check out the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+