nose to the grindstone
Focused, persistent labor
To keep one's nose to the grindstone is to work hard and continuously, especially at tedious or demanding tasks.
The image is of a blade sharpener bent over a rotating stone, face close to the work.
Usually appears with keep or put: She kept her nose to the grindstone all semester, Time to put your nose to the grindstone and finish this project.
Sustained strenuous effort
- effortApplied energy toward goals
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
- exertionVigorous physical effort
slog · drudgery · industriousness · overtime · long hours · toiling · grueling · demanding
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
endurance · fortitude · determination · diligence · resolve · grit · staying power · stick-to-itiveness
Chronic occupational depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- strainExcessive stretching force
workaholic · overwork · sacrifice · wear and tear · no breaks · thankless · monotony · toll
Sustained single-minded attention
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
- intentnessAbsorbed mental focus
single-mindedness · undistracted · absorbed · engrossed · immersed · tunnel vision · heads-down · zeroed in
hard work
Sustained strenuous effort
- effortApplied energy toward goals
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
exertion · slog · drudgery · industriousness · overtime · long hours · toiling · grueling · demanding · strenuous
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
commitment · endurance · fortitude · determination · diligence · resolve · grit · staying power · stick-to-itiveness · doggedness
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
strain · workaholic · overwork · sacrifice · wear and tear · no breaks · thankless · monotony · toll
concentration
Sustained single-minded attention
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
intentness · single-mindedness · undistracted · absorbed · engrossed · immersed · tunnel vision · heads-down · zeroed in · laser focus
- workjob, 9 to 5, jobs, labor, employee
- labor idiomsburning the midnight oil, pull your weight, crunch time, work like a dog, elbow grease
- work idiomsburning out, rat race, climb the ladder, glass ceiling, golden handshake
- burnoutburned out, burnt out, burn out, burning out, burnout
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
nose to the grindstoneslacking off
Neglecting responsibilities deliberately
loafing · goofing off · shirking · idling · coasting
nose to the grindstonedistracted
Unable to concentrate
daydreaming · woolgathering · head in the clouds · scatterbrained · unfocused
nose to the grindstonekicking back
Resting in leisure
taking it easy · at leisure · relaxing · on vacation · lounging
noses, nosed, nosing, grind, grinds, ground, grinding, grinder, grinders