spadework

/ˈspeɪdˌwɜrk/
noun
  1. Hard, basic work that is done to prepare for something, especially the initial effort needed to start a project or task.
    • The research team did the spadework for the project, collecting data and interviewing experts for months.
    • Before we can launch the new website, we need to do the spadework of gathering all the content and images.
    • She put in the spadework early in the morning, setting up the equipment and checking all the supplies before the event began.
Antonyms
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