c) to work really hard
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
If you work your socks off, you work extremely hard.
Note : You can use this expression with many other verbs, especially verbs related to performing such as ’dance’, ’act’ and ’play’. In each case, it means a lot' orvery well’. I danced my socks off last night.
French translation
travailler d’arrache-pied
How NOT to translate : *travailler à en perdre ses chaussettes
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Examples in the press
Konchesky : The team worked their socks off
Paul Konchesky says that West Ham United Women had to work their socks off to grind out a 2-1 Barclays Women’s Super League victory at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers had to fend off waves of Villa attacks in the second half, having got themselves two goals in front inside 15 minutes through Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Honoka Hayashi.
Mackenzie Arnold then stepped up to deny Alisha Lehmann from the penalty spot, before fellow former Hammer Kenza Dali fired in what would prove to only be a consolation.
Westham United, 15 Oct. 2022
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Everyday usage
They worked their socks off to make the business succeed.
We’ve all worked our socks off to produce this show.
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