When one is at work and doing personal business, such as fixing the garage remote or looking up traveling directions.
Ozzy did some nice government work for me yesterday when he installed that mod chip into my Playstation.
by Kenvin October 05, 2006
by Ga Bubblehead November 10, 2017
Probably not the best, but what the hell, at least we got the job done to minimally acceptable standards.
Max: "Hey, you done trimming those shrubs?"
Minnie: "I don't know, they look a little uneven yet..."
Max: "Nah, that's good enough for government work, let's go get a beer!"
Minnie: "I don't know, they look a little uneven yet..."
Max: "Nah, that's good enough for government work, let's go get a beer!"
by smendler September 20, 2010
Stopping work on a task without performing the extra steps necessary to complete it to a high standard of quality.
I didn't pull the weeds from around the garage, but the lawn looks close enough for government work.
by Geekzapoppin October 03, 2005
A phrase used to describe the quality of work difference of that of private enterprise and the government.
BILL: I think we should start over, we did not do such a good job. Someone may get hurt.
WALTER: Don't worry, its close enough for government work.
WALTER: Don't worry, its close enough for government work.
by word genie October 03, 2005
“Government work” is what one does for oneself in a shop on company time using company tools, machinery and materials. “Government work” “hides” the fact that you are stealing company resources by implying that it’s a secret, off the books, project. But since everyone knows what “government work” means you really aren’t hiding anything, you’re sharing an inside joke.
When someone says “that’s good enough for government work,” they are admitting that they are doing less than perfect work because it’s just for their personal use.
When someone says “that’s good enough for government work,” they are admitting that they are doing less than perfect work because it’s just for their personal use.
Worker 1: What’s that? It doesn’t look like any of our usual products.
Worker 2: I can’t tell you, It’s government work.
Worker 1: It looks like a part for your new motorcycle.
Worker 2: I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.
~~~~~~
Worker 1: That part you’re working on will never pass inspection.
Worker 2: Doesn’t matter, it’s government work.
Worker 2: I can’t tell you, It’s government work.
Worker 1: It looks like a part for your new motorcycle.
Worker 2: I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.
~~~~~~
Worker 1: That part you’re working on will never pass inspection.
Worker 2: Doesn’t matter, it’s government work.
by Gray_Hare January 16, 2025
A Lowest Bidder's or Military Grade standard of consistent and adequate, but otherwise unimpressive work, without the quality of a competitive market. A done job. Not well done, but done.
This can also apply to imprecise but likewise adequate usage of deadly force with too much time and budget constraints to perfectly avoid all collateral damage and casualties.
This can also apply to imprecise but likewise adequate usage of deadly force with too much time and budget constraints to perfectly avoid all collateral damage and casualties.
Person 1: The rifle can just barely hit a watermelon at 500 yards's distance.
Person 2: It's not a sniper rifle. That sort of accuracy is more than accurate enough for government work.
Person 2: It's not a sniper rifle. That sort of accuracy is more than accurate enough for government work.
by oron61 April 07, 2022