put (one) to work
To give one a particular task to do. We're here to help, so just put us to work wherever you need us. Whenever I come home for a visit, my mom wastes no time putting me to work—last time, I had to vacuum the whole house!
put/set somebody to ˈwork (on something)
make somebody start work (doing something): On his first day in the office they put him to work on some typing.