Many hands make light work
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
Dividing a substantial task among several helpers reduces the effort required from each person. Usually encouraging and cooperative. It may be qualified when too many helpers would cause confusion. Regional use: Middle English proverb; now widespread.
Origin
The proverb is recorded in the Middle English romance Sir Bevis of Hampton, composed around 1300, in a form equivalent to many hands make light work. Here light means easy or requiring less effort, not illuminated. Later proverb collections helped standardize the wording, but the central English sentence is genuinely medieval rather than an early-modern invention.
Research Sources
Variants
- Many hands lighten the work
Usage Examples
- Invite the whole team to pack; many hands make light work.
- The hall was cleared in minutes because many hands make light work.
- Many hands make light work, provided everyone knows the plan.