many hands make light work
Meaning
If many people share a task, it becomes easier and gets done faster.
Origin
Recorded since at least the 1500s as a proverb. It uses “hands” to mean workers/helpers: when more hands help, each person’s share of the work is lighter.
Notes
A positive proverb used to encourage teamwork. Fits chores, projects, event setup—suggesting that sharing the load makes it easier (though it assumes good coordination).
Examples
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We finished setting up the venue in an hour—many hands make light work.
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If everyone helps pack the boxes, many hands make light work and we can leave on time.
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Cleaning the park seemed overwhelming at first, but many hands make light work.
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Let’s invite a few neighbors to paint the fence; many hands make light work.
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The team split the research tasks, and many hands make light work when deadlines are tight.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed proverb; usually used as a standalone sentence or with “because/as”: “Let’s ask for help—many hands make light work.” Minor variants exist (“Many hands make for light work”).
Synonyms
- two heads are better than one
- many hands make quick work
Antonyms
- too many cooks spoil the broth