yeoman's service

English[edit]

(idiomatic, of behavior by a person) Arduous work, performed in a vigorous, committed manner.
- 1891, Charlotte Mary Yonge, chapter 7, in Unknown to History:
  He hath done yeoman's service, and proved himself staunch and faithful.
(idiomatic, of an object or characteristic) Reliable, useful, capable service.
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
  I once did hold it, as our statists do,
  A baseness to write fair and labour'd much
  How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
  It did me yeoman's service.
- 1827, [Walter Scott], chapter 1, in Chronicles of the Canongate; […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC:
  [O]n many occasions his liberality did him genuine yeoman's service.

arduous work performed in a committed manner