Snow job

Meaning

The idiom "snow job" refers to a task that appears difficult or challenging but is actually easy once you have done it. It can also refer to a job that seems important or valuable, but is not really necessary or useful in the long run.

• She was worried about the math exam, but after doing the practice problems, she realized it was just a snow job.
• He promised to help me with the report, but I ended up doing most of it myself. It was just a snow job.
• The company's new marketing campaign seems impressive, but I think it's just a snow job to impress investors.

Usage

• The idiom is often used in everyday conversation to describe tasks that are not as difficult or important as they seem at first.
• It can also be used to criticize someone for taking on an easy or unnecessary task, especially if they are doing so to impress others.
• In a job context, the idiom can refer to a position that is low-pressure but doesn't offer much in terms of career advancement or meaningful work.
• The idiom can also be used to describe tasks that appear challenging but are actually easy once you have done them before.
• In some cases, "snow job" can refer to a type of prank or practical joke, where someone makes something seem more difficult than it really is in order to get a reaction out of others.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "snow job" is unclear. One possible theory is that it comes from the fact that snowplows used to be large and cumbersome, requiring a lot of physical effort to operate. When someone was given a task that involved operating a snowplow, they would have to work hard to make it appear easy or effortless to others. Another possible theory is that the idiom comes from the fact that snowfall can be unpredictable and difficult to predict. When someone receives a job that seems important but is actually just a "snow job," they may be surprised by how little work it involves or how quickly it can be completed.

Synonyms in English

• Breeze
• Piece of cake
• Walk in the park
• Snap your fingers
• Child's play

Synonyms in other languages

• 廣泛的 (Japanese): A task that is not as difficult or important as it seems, but is actually relatively easy once you have done it.
• 艰苦的 (Japanese): A task that is very challenging and requires a lot of effort to complete.
• 簡單的 (Japanese): A task that is easy or straightforward to complete.
• 轻松的 (Japanese): A task that is not very demanding or difficult to complete.
• 不難的 (Japanese): A task that is not very challenging or difficult to complete.

Similar Idioms

• pros and cons

• leave no stone unturned

• spanner in the works