Government work 

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.

Government work by Kenvin October 5, 2006

Government Work 

When you measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, and cut it with a chainsaw.

Good enough for government work.

Government Work by Ga Bubblehead April 20, 2018

Government Work 

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.

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.

Government Work by oron61 April 6, 2022

Government work 

“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.

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.

Government work by Gray_Hare January 16, 2025

good enough for government work 

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!"

good enough for government work by smendler September 20, 2010

close enough for government work 

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.

close enough for government work by Geekzapoppin October 3, 2005

close enough for government work 

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.

close enough for government work by word genie October 2, 2005