employ
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be employed in (doing something)
To spend time engaged in some particular activity. I was employed in scrubbing mildew off the bathroom walls when the telephone rang, so I wasn't able to take the call. Master Jenkins is currently employed in studying for his final exams, so I'm afraid he won't be joining you this evening. How am I supposed to get anything done during the day when I'm employed in chasing two toddlers around?
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employ (someone) as (something)
To employ someone in a particular role or job. I thought they were going to employ me as a file clerk, but because they needed help with data entry, I wound up doing that instead. I'm sorry, this guy has no experience and they employed him as a benefit coordinator? If he does good work, I'd be happy to employ him as my landscaper.
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employ (someone) for (something)
To employ someone in a particular role or job. I thought they were just going to employ me for filing, but because they needed help with data entry, I wound up doing that instead. I'm sorry, this guy has no experience and they employed him for benefits coordination? If he does good work, I'd be happy to employ him for landscaping.
employ (someone) in (something)
To employ someone to work in a certain area. I applied for the job as file clerk, but they employed me in data entry instead. I'm sorry, this guy has no experience and they employed him in benefits coordination? If he does good work, I'd be happy to employ him in landscaping.
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employ a steam engine to crack a nut
To use excessive, overcomplicated, or extravagant means or force to accomplish something relatively minor or simple. With this new system of issuing licenses, the government has employed a steam engine to crack a nut: four separate departments now handle each stage of an application, when a single department could easily process applications from start to finish. A: "Why is the head of Employment making ID badges? That's usually an intern's job." B: "Beats me. They sure like to employ a steam engine to crack a nut around here." If you need someone, just go find them—it's not like the house is that big. Adding an intercom system would be like employing a steam engine to crack a nut!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
employ someone as something
to pay someone to work in some capacity. I employed Fred as a personal secretary for about three months. Can you employ me as a stock clerk?
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employ someone for something
to hire someone for a particular purpose. I employ him for special chores around the factory. Kelly employed Walter for emergency repairs on the night shift.
employ someone in something
to pay someone to work in a particular type of work. I employ Tom in machine maintenance. Laura is employed in accounting.
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McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.