There are plenty of occasions when one person is assigned a large amount of work. Perhaps it is setting up for a large birthday party or even cleaning up after a family meal. If there are more people around to help, the work will go more quickly and there will be less resentment. One way to capture this sentiment is by saying many hands make light work. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The meaning of many hands makes light work easy to understand. It means that with collaboration, a workload will be much lighter overall. It is another way of saying that when people work together to reach a goal, getting there will be much easier than going it alone.
It is a proverb that has been used since ancient times to help encourage collaboration and cooperation. It is also another way of saying that the overall workload will be much less when many people share the same tasks. Doing something quickly and more efficiently was preferred, especially during times when manual labor was at an all-time high.
Example Usage
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, many hands make light work”.
“In order to do the most possible in a short amount of time, keep in mind that many hands make light work”
“I understand that many hands make light work, but it is not something I can get my husband to understand”.
“Visiting the campgrounds with my family taught me that many hands make light work”.
Origin
The saying many hands make light work is thought to have come from medieval England. During medieval times, there was a common goal of protecting those that are weak and vulnerable through the efforts of those more capable. In other instances, many weaker people banding together would be able to fortify a position for the benefit of the whole. For example, in those times, during high winds, several people would shield a flame with their hands to prevent the candle from going out. This made “light” work through the efforts of the collective.
The phrase is also thought to have originated in the 1300s. The first time it was seen in print was a story that was printed in a book of proverbs. The author, Sir Bevis of Hampton was known for its creation, and later in 1500, John Heywood also included the phrase in his books.
Phrases Similar to Many Hands Make Light Work
- In unity there is strength
- United we stand
- Strength in numbers
- The more the merrier
- A stick in a bundle can't be broken
- The more the better
- Together we are stronger
- Unity is strength
Phrases Opposite to Many Hands Make Light Work
- Less is more
- Too many cooks spoil the stew
- Fewer is better
- Too many cooks in the kitchen
- Too many chiefs and not enough Indians
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper saying is - many hands make light work.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Many Hands Make Light Work
The phrase is pretty self-explanatory, but it can still be used in the wrong context. Some ways that many hands make light work is used incorrectly are:
- When referring to a single-person task.
- When the activity is too small to be shared.
- When claiming a project was a group activity when it was completed by one person.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Many Hands Make Light Work
Some ways that many hands make light work is used correctly are:
- This house is just too big for me to clean on my own. I wish that my husband understood that many hands make light work and help me out.
- When it comes to creating elaborate decorations, many hands make light work and also bring in a lot of ideas.
- Saying many hands make light work is not effective unless you actually plan to help.