bust one's hump
Work extremely hard
To bust one's hump is to work extremely hard, often at physically demanding or tedious labor: I've been busting my hump all week to finish this project.
The phrase suggests strenuous effort that wears a person down.
Variants include bust one's ass and bust one's butt.
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- work one's fingers to the boneToil extremely hard
- strainExcessive stretching force
- break one's backExert maximum effort
- go the extra mileSurpass what's asked
burn the midnight oil · grit · grind · nose to the grindstone · pull out all the stops · persistence · heavy lifting · roll up one's sleeves · fatigue · sweat blood · blood sweat and tears · tenacity · hustle · dedication · slog · hard day's work · diligence · exertion