by-work

A woman does embroidery as a by-work in the evenings.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Subsidiary task: "by-work" refers to a secondary or less important job or activity that is done in one's spare time or alongside one's main occupation.

Usage Examples

• (A secondary task performed during free time.)
• (A less central activity done alongside the primary one.)
• (A minor or casual occupation.)

Advanced Usage

• "by-work of the mind": a metaphorical use meaning a secondary or incidental intellectual pursuit.
  • Reading philosophy was his by-work of the mind, while his day job was accounting. (An intellectual side activity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bywork (n): an alternative spelling of "by-work" with the same meaning.
  • His bywork as a carpenter kept his hands busy on weekends. (A secondary manual task.)

Synonyms

• Side job: a job that is not one's main source of income.
• Side hustle: informal work done to earn extra money.
• Avocation: a hobby or minor occupation.

Related Idioms

• To do something as a sideline: to engage in an activity as a secondary pursuit.
  • She writes poetry as a sideline, while working as a lawyer. (A secondary interest or job.)

Phrasal Verbs