make short work of

Verb

make short work of (third-person singular simple present makes short work of, present participle making short work of, simple past and past participle made short work of)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To do (a task) relatively quickly or easily.
   • A good electric screwdriver will make short work of the disassembly process.
   • [...] a cab ride in one of the Birmingham Type 2 diesels over the Mallaig extension demonstrated what short work—and what a transformation of the engineman's lot—these machines make of the gradients by comparison with their steam predecessors.1962 September, G. Freeman Allen, “The New Look in Scotland's Northern Division—1”, in Modern Railways, page 164
2. (idiomatic, transitive) To deal with or overcome (someone or something) quickly and without difficulty.
   • "There was desperate characters here, but the vigilantes made short work of 'em."1897, Maynard Barbour, chapter 26, in The Award of Justice
   • You impertinent ruffian! You impertinent ruffian! I'll make short work of you!1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “Counterparts”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 111

   Synonyms:

   make light work of, make quick work of, make mincemeat of