What Does Many Hands Make Light Work Mean?

You just heard someone say the phrase “many hands make light work,” but you aren’t totally sure what it means. No worries—this idiom is really straightforward and easy to learn. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about this classic proverb, so you can understand it and even sprinkle it into your own conversations.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “many hands make light work” mean?

  1. Image titled Many Hands Make Light Work Step 1
    “Many hands make light work” emphasizes the importance of teamwork and cooperation. This idiom represents how a tough, “heavy” task can become easier, quicker, and “lighter” when multiple people help. It’s often used as an encouraging statement to help motivate people to complete a big project.[1]
    • Person 1: “Ugh, I really don’t want to clean out the attic.”
      Person 2: “I’ll help you! Many hands make light work, after all.”
    • Person 1: “Do we really have to clean up the entire yard?”
      Person 2: “Yep, but it won’t take nearly as long as you think. Many hands make light work!”
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Use “Many Hands Make Light Work”

  1. Image titled Many Hands Make Light Work Step 2
    Encourage lots of people to accomplish a big task. Maybe you and your co-workers have to prepare for a big presentation, or you and your friends are helping another friend move into their new apartment. You could say “Many hands make like work!” as a way of reminding everyone that the task won’t take as long if everyone helps out.[2] You might use this idiom while:
    • Moving in or out of your house
    • Cleaning out a big space (like a garage or attic)
    • Working on a group project for school
    • Completing a lot of farming or yard work
Section 3 of 3:

Where does the saying come from?

  1. Image titled Many Hands Make Light Work Step 3
    The saying has different origins but it was first printed in English in 1546. The concept of “many hands make light work” has existed for a really long time—in fact, some version of the saying existed in both ancient Greece and Rome. The idiom first made its English introduction in John Heywood’s book Proverbs, which was published in 1546.[3]
    • This saying has roots in other languages and cultures, too. In Africa, “Many hands make light work” translates to “Mikono mingi kazi haba” in Swahili and “Abema hamoi basindika eitara” in Haya.[4]
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References

  1. ↑ https://thevillageidiom.org/many-hands-make-light-work/
  2. ↑ https://www.lexico.com/definition/many_hands_make_light_work
  3. ↑ https://idiomorigins.org/origin/many-hands-make-light-work
  4. ↑ https://afriprov.org/oct2001/

About This Article

Janice Tieperman
Co-authored by:
Janice Tieperman
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 9,834 times.
8 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: April 25, 2022
Views: 9,834
Categories: English Vocabulary
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