on the job

Job Job (j[o^]b), n. [Prov. E. job, gob, n., a small piece of wood, v., to stab, strike; cf. E. gob, gobbet; perh. influenced by E. chop to cut off, to mince. See {Gob}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A sudden thrust or stab; a jab. [1913 Webster]

2. A piece of chance or occasional work; any definite work undertaken in gross for a fixed price; as, he did the job for a thousand dollars. [1913 Webster]

3. A public transaction done for private profit; something performed ostensibly as a part of official duty, but really for private gain; a corrupt official business. [1913 Webster]

4. Any affair or event which affects one, whether fortunately or unfortunately. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

5. A situation or opportunity of work; as, he lost his job. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

6. A task, or the execution of a task; as, Michelangelo did a great job on the David statue. [PJC]

7. (Computers) A task or coordinated set of tasks for a multitasking computer, submitted for processing as a single unit, usually for execution in background. See {job control language}. [PJC]

Note: Job is used adjectively to signify doing jobs, used for jobs, or let on hire to do jobs; as, job printer; job master; job horse; job wagon, etc. [1913 Webster]

{By the job}, at a stipulated sum for the work, or for each piece of work done; -- distinguished from {time work}; as, the house was built by the job.

{Job lot}, a quantity of goods, usually miscellaneous, sold out of the regular course of trade, at a certain price for the whole; as, these articles were included in a job lot.

{Job master}, one who lest out horses and carriages for hire, as for family use. [Eng.]

{Job printer}, one who does miscellaneous printing, esp. circulars, cards, billheads, etc.

{Odd job}, miscellaneous work of a petty kind; occasional work, of various kinds, or for various people.

{to do a job on}, to harm badly or destroy. [slang]

{on the job}, alert; performing a responsibility well. [slang] [1913 Webster +PJC]