moonlighting

A nurse is moonlighting as a taxi driver on weekends.

Definition

Noun (uncountable): - The practice of working a second job, typically in addition to one's primary employment, often during the evening or at night.
"Moonlighting" specifically refers to holding a secondary job outside of regular working hours, often to earn extra income or pursue a different interest.

Usage Examples

• (Working a second job as a tutor.)
• (Working another job while employed here.)
• (Working a second job secretly or without authorization.)

Advanced Usage

• "Illegal moonlighting": working a second job that violates a contract or law (e.g., for government employees or those with non-compete clauses).
  The politician was accused of illegal moonlighting after accepting payments from a private firm.

• "Moonlighting as a freelancer": working independently on projects outside of a primary job.
  She does moonlighting as a graphic designer for small businesses.

Variants and Related Words

• Moonlighter (noun): a person who moonlights.
  The company hired several moonlighters for the night shift.

• Moonlight (verb): to work a second job.
  He moonlights as a security guard every Friday night.

Synonyms

• Second job: an additional paid position.
• Side gig: informal work done in addition to a main job.
• Extra work: employment beyond one's primary occupation.

Phrasal Verbs

• Moonlight as: to work a second job in a specific role.
  She moonlights as a yoga instructor on weekends.

• Take up moonlighting: to begin working a second job.
  After the rent increase, he took up moonlighting at a local bar.

Related Idioms

• Burn the midnight oil: to work late into the night (often related to moonlighting).
  She burned the midnight oil to finish her moonlighting project.

• Have a side hustle: to have a secondary job or business.
  His side hustle as a photographer is his moonlighting venture.