legwork

Noun

legwork (usually uncountable, plural legworks)

1. (usually) Work, especially research or preparation, that involves significant walking, travel, or similar effort.
   • In addition to spreading more information, brokers are going to have to do some leg work to get new customers.1955 March 7, “Who'll Buy My Stocks?”, in Time
   • The worldwide effort has already revealed several valuable lessons [including] . . . the use of old-fashioned legwork in tracking down people who may unknowingly carry a virus.2003 May 1, Peter Spotts, “What the world has done right on SARS”, in Christian Science Monitor, retrieved 05 Jan 2009
2. (usually) Skillful or vigorous use of the legs, as in dance or sports.
   • "Watriss, No. 3, is rowing well. . . . His leg work is very fair."1890 May 11, “Atalanta and Yale Race: An English expert criticizes the crews of Yale and Harvard”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Jan 2009, page 20
   • Fancy legwork and jumping rope will get you in great shape.2005, Thomas Incledon, Matthew Hoffman, Men's Health Maximum Muscle Plan, page 353