keep / put one's nose to the grindstone

/kˈiːp pˌʊt wˈɒnz nˈəʊz tə ðə ɡɹˈaɪndstəʊn/

/kˈiːp pˌʊt wˈʌnz nˈoʊz tə ðə ɡɹˈaɪndstoʊn/

[phrase]

to keep / put one's nose to the grindstone

[PHRASE]

to continuously put a lot of effort into doing something

synonyms : keep one's shoulder to the wheel

peg away

plug away

slog

to [keep|put] {one's} nose to the grindstone definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "keep one's nose to the grindstone" and when to use it?

The idiom "keep one's nose to the grindstone" originated from the practice of grinding tools on a grindstone, symbolizing the need to work diligently and stay focused without distractions. It is commonly employed in professional settings, such as workplaces or business environments, to encourage individuals to stay focused and diligently work on their tasks or responsibilities.

Examples

1. If he puts his nose to the grindstone, I think he'll get the results he want.

2. She kept her nose to the grindstone all year and got the exam results she wanted.

3. He just started laying off me a little bit, but I also put my nose to the grindstone to make sure he didn't have anything to say.

4. So I became optimistic about academia in a way that allowed me to continue to put my nose to the grindstone and not to think too much about it because the resources were there.