shoe-leather
Boot's outer covering
Shoe-leather refers to the material shoes are made from, but more often appears figuratively to mean legwork—the physical effort of walking around to gather information or get things done.
Reporters do shoe-leather journalism by knocking on doors rather than making phone calls.
The detective work required a lot of shoe-leather.
To wear out your shoe-leather is to exhaust yourself through persistent effort.
Resistant to damage
- wornDamaged by use
- resoledRepaired shoe bottoms
- well-wornDamaged by frequent use
- broken-inSoftened through use
scuffed · weathered · sturdy · quality · longevity · wear-resistant · reliable · rugged
Devoted to examination
- reporterOne who gathers news
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- legworkPractical preliminary investigation
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
doorstep · canvassing · fieldwork · sources · interviews · research · sleuthing · fact-checking
hard-wearing
Resistant to damage
broken-in · scuffed · weathered · sturdy · quality · longevity · wear-resistant · reliable · rugged · solid
investigative
Devoted to examination
- reporterOne who gathers news
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- legworkPractical preliminary investigation
beat · doorstep · canvassing · fieldwork · sources · interviews · research · sleuthing · fact-checking · scoop
full-grain
Leather with intact surface
outsole · insole · cobbler · resoling · patina · polish · conditioning · hide · stitching · craftsmanship
pavement
Hard road covering
footfall · pounding · wear · miles · trek · trudge · footpath · sidewalk · cobblestone · asphalt
shoe, leather, leathery, shoemaker, horseshoes, overshoe, shoed, shoemaking, leatherette