chug away
Work on steadily
To chug away is to work steadily and persistently at something, like a train engine chugging along the tracks: She's been chugging away at her dissertation for months.
The phrase suggests slow but continuous progress rather than bursts of effort.
It can also describe a machine running steadily: The old generator chugged away in the basement.
Continue despite obstacles
- grindCrush into particles
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- plodMove slowly, heavily
- slogLaborious persistent effort
keep at it · steadfast · diligent · industrious · tenacious · dogged · unwavering · assiduous
Rail vehicle or instruct
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
- stationFixed stopping point
- steam engineThermal vapor motor
- platformRaised flat structure
railway · tracks · whistle · caboose · freight · passenger car · depot · pullout
persevere
Continue despite obstacles
slog · keep at it · steadfast · diligent · industrious · tenacious · dogged · unwavering · assiduous · laborious
train
Rail vehicle or instruct
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
- stationFixed stopping point
- steam engineThermal vapor motor
platform · railway · tracks · whistle · caboose · freight · passenger car · depot · pullout · choo-choo
chug awaysprint
Brief maximum-speed effort
rush · dash · whip through · zoom · hurry
chug awaygive up
Stop attempting something
quit · abandon · stop · throw in the towel · call it quits
chug awaysputter
Emit irregular popping sounds
start and stop · lurch · stall out · falter