labour of love
/'leibərəv'lʌv/
Definition
Noun: - Work undertaken for personal satisfaction or affection rather than for financial gain: A "labour of love" refers to a task or project that someone does because they enjoy it or care deeply about it, not because they expect to be paid or rewarded materially.
Usage
- This noun phrase is used to describe an activity that requires significant effort, time, or skill, but the primary motivation is passion, enjoyment, or love for the subject or recipient.
- It often implies that the work is done willingly and with great care, despite the lack of external compensation.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used to contrast work done for pleasure with work done out of obligation or for money.
- It often carries a connotation of dedication, patience, and personal investment.
Variants and Related Words
- Labor of love: The American English spelling variant, using "labor" instead of "labour."
- Passion project: A closely related term describing a significant undertaking driven by strong personal interest.
Synonyms
- Labor of devotion
- Passion project
- Selfless work
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A labor of Hercules: Refers to a task requiring immense strength or effort. (Note: This idiom focuses on difficulty, not the motivational aspect of love or passion, and is listed here for contrast and advanced understanding.)
- To do something for the love of it: A simpler phrase expressing a similar sentiment of doing something for pure enjoyment.
Noun
-
productive work performed voluntarily without material reward or compensation
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