noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
floor cleaning with a cloth; wiping floors with a rag
Literal meaning: cleaning floors or surfaces by wiping with a cloth, often on hands and knees. Commonly used in school or household contexts.
教室の床を雑巾掛けする。
I wipe the classroom floor with a cloth.
毎朝、廊下の雑巾掛けが日課
Every morning, wiping the hallway with a cloth is part of my routine.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
menial work; grunt work; low-level tasks
Figurative use: unskilled, tedious, or low-status work, often assigned to newcomers or subordinates. Carries a nuance of drudgery.
新人はまず雑巾掛けみたいな仕事から始める。
Newcomers start with menial tasks like grunt work.
彼は雑巾掛けばかりやらされて不満だ。
He's dissatisfied because he's only made to do low-level work.