all in a day’s work
Meaning
Something difficult, annoying, or unusual is simply part of one’s normal job; nothing special.
Origin
From the idea that a worker’s day naturally includes routine tasks and occasional hassles; popularized in 19th–20th century English as a wry comment meaning “just part of the job.”
Notes
Often said wryly after a hassle or odd event to mean “that’s just part of the job.” Casual tone; can downplay someone’s difficulty if used insensitively.
Examples
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After dealing with three customer complaints before lunch, Maya just shrugged—it's all in a day’s work.
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The paramedic cleaned up and headed to the next call; saving lives is all in a day’s work for him.
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When the server handled a sudden rush without breaking a sweat, she said it was all in a day’s work.
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Fixing a last-minute bug right before the demo felt stressful, but the engineer called it all in a day’s work.
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The tour guide answered the same question for the tenth time and laughed, saying it was all in a day’s work.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a standalone comment or after a clause: “(It’s) all in a day’s work.” Sometimes preceded by “just”: “Just all in a day’s work.” Article and apostrophe are fixed (day’s).
Synonyms
- part of the job
- just another day at the office
- par for the course
- comes with the territory
Antonyms
- out of the ordinary
- not part of the job
- above and beyond