spadework

n [U] (fig 比喻) hard work done in preparation for sth 艰苦的准备工作: She got the praise for the job but he did all the spadework. 工作完成後她获得赞誉, 但筹备期间的苦活儿全是他干的.

space, space invaders, space probe, space shuttle, space station, space-age, space-bar, spacecraft, spaceman, spaceship, spaceshuttle, spacesuit, spacewalk, spacing, spacious, spaciously, spaciousness, spackle, spade, spadeful, spaghetti, Spain, spam, span, spangle, spaniel, Spanish, spank, spanking, spanner, spar, spare, spare part, spare tyre, spare-rib, spare...from, sparing, sparingly, spark, sparking-plug (also `spark-plug),