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labor of love

noun

work done for the sake of one's own enjoyment or of benefit to others rather than for material rewards.
He coached amateur baseball teams as a labor of love.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of labor of love¹

First recorded in 1665–75

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Idioms and Phrases

Work done for one's satisfaction rather than monetary reward. For example, The research took three years but it was a labor of love. This expression appears twice in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:10, Thessalonians 1:3), referring to those who do God's work as a labor of love. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Taking place at Ojai’s Chaparral Auditorium over two weekends in May, the project is a labor of love for everyone involved, most of whom are donating their time and talents.

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Making brisket is a labor of love but the results make it all worth it.

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“It's a labor of love that we do what we do, we would just like to be paid what we're worth.”

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Even though the voluntary program demands a “net outpouring” of his funds and a large time commitment, he calls it a “labor of love.”

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“This was a labor of love. And I thank the academy. I thank you so very much.”

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labor movement labor omnia vincit

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