work some magic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work some magic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to someone accomplishing something difficult or doing something impressive, often in a limited amount of time. For example: "My boss gave me a tight deadline to finish the project, but I was able to work some magic and get it done ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

You have to work some magic just to not get buried".

The New York Times

Westhoff will have to work some magic with what he has, at least for this week.

The New York Times - Sports

When that did not please, he turned to Richard Sandoval, the chef and owner of Maya, to work some magic on a restaurant that seemed to have only one thing going for it, Mr. Domingo's name.

The New York Times - Food

With their superstar, Dirk Nowitzki, watching from the sidelines on a sprained left knee, the Dallas Mavericks did their best to work some magic tonight at the American Airlines Center.

The New York Times - Sports

That could prove very costly in both defense and midfield, as the Goats never had considerable depth on the back line or in the holding midfield role, but given the injuries in those positions, it looks like Chelís is going to have to work some magic if Chivas are to get a result.

The Guardian - Sport

At WAKE, where he began as a D.J. and rose to become program director, Mr. Drake began tinkering with the programming so successfully that the station's parent company sent him to California to work some magic on its San Francisco station.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"He's worked some magic before," he said.

The New York Times

Let's hope Shangri- La has worked some magic that wasn't in evidence tonight.

Independent

At first it appeared as if the new manager was working some magic.

The Guardian - Sport

He otherwise adhered closely to the evidence while working some magic with his pages; no witnesses for the defense or petitions on their behalf appear in "Wonders".

The New Yorker

Half time at Stamford Bridge: Chelsea 1-0 Steaua 8.27pm GMT GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Celtic (Pedro) Neymar works some magic in the Celtic box, finding space, then clipping the ball to Pedro for a tap in.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work some magic" when you want to convey that someone is using their skill or ingenuity to overcome a difficult situation or achieve something impressive in a short amount of time.

Common error

While "work some magic" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language depending on your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work some magic" functions as a verb phrase, often used idiomatically. It describes the act of achieving something remarkable or solving a problem through skill, creativity, or ingenuity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work some magic" is a common and generally correct idiom used to describe the act of skillfully achieving something impressive, often against the odds. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a valid and useful expression in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it carries a neutral to informal tone, suggesting a level of admiration for the ingenuity displayed. While effective in many contexts, writers should be mindful of its informality and choose more precise language for formal academic or scientific purposes. If you're looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "perform wonders" or "conjure up a solution" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform wonders

Implies achieving impressive results, often exceeding expectations.

pull off a miracle

Suggests accomplishing something seemingly impossible.

conjure up a solution

Emphasizes creativity and resourcefulness in finding a fix.

engineer a success

Highlights careful planning and execution to guarantee a positive result.

achieve the impossible

Focuses on overcoming significant obstacles to reach a goal.

find a workaround

Suggests ingenuity to bypass the usual procedures for reaching a goal.

turn the tide

Implies changing a negative situation into a positive one.

play a blinder

Suggests performing exceptionally well.

come up with a masterstroke

Emphasizes genius to obtain a high goal.

save the day

Focuses on rescuing a situation from potential failure or disaster.

FAQs

How can I use "work some magic" in a sentence?

You can use "work some magic" to describe someone using skill or ingenuity to solve a problem or achieve a goal, like: "The team needed to "pull off a miracle" to win the championship."

What's a more formal alternative to "work some magic"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "apply their expertise", "employ their skills", or "exercise their ingenuity" instead of "work some magic".

Is it appropriate to use "work some magic" in business writing?

While acceptable in some business settings, "work some magic" is generally informal. "Find a workaround" or "engineer a success" might be more suitable depending on the context.

What does it mean to "work some magic"?

To "work some magic" means to use your skills or abilities in a clever or impressive way to achieve a desired result, often when faced with challenges or limitations. It implies a touch of ingenuity and creativity.