ugly work

USAGE SUMMARY

"ugly work" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is unpleasant, difficult, or morally wrong. Example: The government's decision to cut funding for public education was met with widespread criticism. Many people saw it as a reflection of their ugly work, prioritizing profit over the education and well-being of future generations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Dealing with the Devil is ugly work," Mr. Larson said.

The New York Times

Someone's got to do it, do the bad work, the ugly work.

The New Yorker

I honestly can't see this gleefully ugly work of art spreading a lot of cheer.

The Guardian - Arts

If your wood isn't cut precisely, you'll likely need shims to get everything level, and you'll need extra large blankets to cover your ugly work.

The New York Times

Last week, in Manhattan, I asked Kechiche if the problem was that the actresses couldn't countenance the ugly work that goes into beautiful product.

The New Yorker

Doscher said his best tool was his defense — the way he could block the plate, take a hit, call a game, throw out runners, do the ugly work required to win.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The rest of the job, the ugly, dirty work, the work which Dirk Kuyt took to so well at Liverpool, Suarez did just as well.

Independent

Ugly design work is made more unpleasant by visual fidelity years out of date.

The Guardian - Tech

The administrators are in an easier situation "because they don't have to do the ugly, dirty work," Mr. Roistacher said.

The New York Times

Will that sort of last-minute, ugly ad work less well, with so many people busy looking at the storm, or better, with the people who might contradict it being distracted?

The New Yorker

The service, which would include personal and software analysis, training, and a "15-point quality checklist," will be available in LA and London, hopefully soon, because I've seen some ugly 3D work out there.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ugly work" to describe tasks or projects that are not only visually unappealing but also potentially morally questionable or difficult to execute.

Common error

Don't limit "ugly work" solely to aesthetic judgments. It often implies unpleasantness, difficulty, or even ethical compromise. Ensure the context reflects this broader meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ugly work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'ugly' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'work'. Ludwig examples show it describing tasks or creations considered unpleasant, difficult, or aesthetically unappealing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ugly work" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes unpleasant, difficult, or morally questionable tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by examples from reliable sources. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral register. While synonyms like "unpleasant task" or "dirty job" exist, "ugly work" often implies a broader sense of distaste and ethical compromise. When using this phrase, ensure that the context reflects this nuanced meaning to effectively convey the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant task

Replaces "work" with "task" to focus on the job aspect but maintaining the negative connotation.

horrendous assignment

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and obligation of the work.

dirty job

Emphasizes the morally questionable or unpleasant nature of the work.

hideous creation

Shifts the focus to the result of the work, highlighting its ugliness.

grueling labor

Focuses on the physically or mentally exhausting aspect of the work.

distasteful activity

Focuses on the unpleasantness or disagreeableness of the work.

unappealing chore

Highlights the lack of attractiveness and routine nature of the work.

unsavory business

Suggests the work is distasteful or morally dubious.

repugnant endeavor

Highlights the revolting or offensive nature of the work.

difficult undertaking

Focuses on the challenging aspect, omitting the aesthetic judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "ugly work" in a sentence?

You can use "ugly work" to describe tasks that are unpleasant or difficult. For example: "Dealing with the Devil is "ugly work"."

What's a synonym for "ugly work"?

Alternatives include "unpleasant task", "dirty job", or "difficult undertaking", depending on the specific connotation you want to convey.

Is "ugly work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ugly work" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers examples from reliable sources.

Does "ugly work" only refer to aesthetics?

No, while "ugly" can refer to aesthetics, "ugly work" often implies that the task is unpleasant, difficult, or perhaps even morally questionable.