subcontractor

/,sʌbkən'træktə/

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Word: Subcontractor

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A subcontractor is a person or company that is hired by a primary contractor to perform a specific part of a larger job or project. This means that the subcontractor does not work directly for the client but instead works for someone who does.

Usage Instructions: You can use the word "subcontractor" when talking about construction projects, services, or any work that involves a main contractor and other people or companies doing parts of the job.

Example Sentence: "The main contractor hired a subcontractor to handle all the electrical work for the new building."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex projects, subcontractors can specialize in various fields such as plumbing, electrical work, or roofing. A business might have several subcontractors working on different aspects of a project at the same time.

Word Variants:

• Subcontract: (verb) To hire someone to do part of a job.
  • Example: "The company decided to subcontract the landscaping work."
• Subcontracting: (noun) The process of hiring subcontractors.
  • Example: "Subcontracting can help reduce costs and increase efficiency."

Different Meanings:

While "subcontractor" primarily refers to a person or company working under a primary contractor, in a broader sense, it can also refer to any third party involved in a contract to perform specific tasks.

Synonyms:

• Freelancer: A person who works independently and is hired for specific projects.
• Consultant: An expert who provides advice and services, often on a temporary basis.
• Service provider: A company or individual that provides specific services.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Pass the buck": This idiom means to avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else, similar to how a main contractor may pass certain responsibilities to a subcontractor.
• "Hand off": This phrasal verb means to transfer responsibility or control to someone else, similar to how a contractor might hand off certain tasks to a subcontractor.

Academic

Noun

1. someone who enters into a subcontract with the primary contractor