English

Alternative forms

• yeoman service

Noun

yeoman's service

1. (idiomatic, of behavior by a person) Arduous work, performed in a vigorous, committed manner.
   • 1891, Charlotte Mary Yonge, Unknown to History, chapter 7:

     He hath done yeoman's service, and proved himself staunch and faithful.

2. (idiomatic, of an object or characteristic) Reliable, useful, capable service.
   • c. 1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 5, scene 2:

     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, The Chronicles of the Canongate, chapter 1:

     [O]n many occasions his liberality did him genuine yeoman's service.