workhorse
Dependable steady producer
A workhorse is a horse used for labor rather than riding or racing—pulling plows, hauling loads.
The term extends to any person, machine, or thing that reliably handles heavy or unglamorous work: The old pickup was a workhorse for twenty years.
A workhorse isn't flashy but gets the job done.
Equine hybrid, often sterile
- donkeyLong-eared equine
- oxCastrated male cattle
- plowTool for turning soil
- draftPreliminary version of text
beast · equine · harness · yoke · cart · carriage · pack · farm
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- durableAble to withstand use
solid · steady · unfailing · faithful · robust · proven · stable · reliable
Machine producing motion
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
- tractorAgricultural pulling vehicle
- truckHeavy freight vehicle
- printerMachine producing paper copies
server · generator · lathe · forklift · bulldozer · locomotive · mill · industrial
Devoted to steady effort
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- indefatigableIncapable of wearying
- unflaggingPersistently energetic
- hardworkingCommitted to sustained effort
persevering · tenacious · persistent · dogged · dedicated · untiring · relentless · assiduous
Laboring beyond healthy limits
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
- exhaustedUtterly depleted of energy
- ladenHeavily weighted down
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
taxed · stretched · worn · weary · thankless · unsung · unappreciated · undervalued
mule
Equine hybrid, often sterile
draft · beast · equine · harness · yoke · cart · carriage · pack · farm · agriculture
dependable
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- sturdySolidly built, durable
durable · solid · steady · unfailing · faithful · robust · proven · stable · reliable · trusty
engine
Machine producing motion
printer · server · generator · lathe · forklift · bulldozer · locomotive · mill · industrial · factory
industrious
Devoted to steady effort
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- indefatigableIncapable of wearying
- unflaggingPersistently energetic
hardworking · persevering · tenacious · persistent · dogged · dedicated · untiring · relentless · assiduous · unrelenting
overworked
Laboring beyond healthy limits
overloaded · taxed · stretched · worn · weary · thankless · unsung · unappreciated · undervalued · taken-for-granted
ranch
Livestock-raising estate
rancher · corral · roundup · stockman · cowhand · range · cutting · roping · wrangling · trail
- draft horsesClydesdale, Percheron, Belgian, Suffolk Punch, Suffolk
- striversstriver, trier, fighter, battler, plugger
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, eats like a bird
- equinesmare, stallion, donkey, foal, pony
- Hard Workgrind, hustle, toil, effort, labor
- Horse Idiomshorseplay, one-trick pony, pony up, horsepower
workhorseslacker
Idle responsibility evader
shirker · loafer · layabout · goldbricker · malingerer
workhorseprima donna
Temperamental, self-important person
diva · showboat · glory hound · spotlight seeker · star
workhorseshow pony
Attractive but superficial performer
showpiece · luxury item · status symbol · lemon · dust collector