donkey work 单调乏味的工作

那些单调乏味的工作，或者是苦力活儿都可以被称为 donkey work.

例句

I am tired of doing the donkey work while my workmates get all the fun and creative tasks.

If you want a promotion, you have to do a lot of donkey work first.

请注意

短语 donkey's years 意思是很长的一段时间，这是一个非正式表达。

I've been living in this house for donkey's years.