legwork
noun
leg·work ˈleg-ˌwərk 
also ˈlāg-
: active physical work (as in gathering information) that forms the basis of more creative or mentally exacting work (such as writing a book)
Example Sentences
I wrote the article myself, but my assistant gathered the information and did most of the other legwork.
Recent Examples on the Web The biggest of those is not doing the legwork to obtain community or municipal buy-in on a project. 
Alberto Goncalves, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 While prosecutors are busy gathering victim statements to make a case for lengthy periods of incarceration, the defendants are doing their own legwork in a bid for leniency, according to criminal defense attorney Seth Kretzer. Joel Rosenblatt, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Local consignment or resale stores can take some of the legwork out of the process and still net you a few bucks in return. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 The first two episodes of the season, premiering together Aug. 3 on Hulu, have a fair amount of legwork to do in order to unpack the full implications of Elora’s decision. Caroline Framke, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 The legwork has been done for you — look no further for the finest jewelry gifts in chic gold tone for the best moms. Angela Lei, Forbes, 5 May 2022 Colts general manager Chris Ballard makes the final decision, but the legwork is done by his scouts, and Indianapolis brought out four of them to break down the players the Colts took in this draft. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 1 May 2022 Tracking down a true pre-owned jewel often takes more legwork than flipping through the racks at your local Salvation Army. Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2022 Brands must do a serious amount of legwork to develop awareness before consumers can begin considering your products for their needs. Maureen Ballatori, Forbes, 6 July 2022 See More
Alberto Goncalves, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 While prosecutors are busy gathering victim statements to make a case for lengthy periods of incarceration, the defendants are doing their own legwork in a bid for leniency, according to criminal defense attorney Seth Kretzer. Joel Rosenblatt, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Local consignment or resale stores can take some of the legwork out of the process and still net you a few bucks in return. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 The first two episodes of the season, premiering together Aug. 3 on Hulu, have a fair amount of legwork to do in order to unpack the full implications of Elora’s decision. Caroline Framke, Variety, 1 Aug. 2022 The legwork has been done for you — look no further for the finest jewelry gifts in chic gold tone for the best moms. Angela Lei, Forbes, 5 May 2022 Colts general manager Chris Ballard makes the final decision, but the legwork is done by his scouts, and Indianapolis brought out four of them to break down the players the Colts took in this draft. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 1 May 2022 Tracking down a true pre-owned jewel often takes more legwork than flipping through the racks at your local Salvation Army. Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2022 Brands must do a serious amount of legwork to develop awareness before consumers can begin considering your products for their needs. Maureen Ballatori, Forbes, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above