Synonyms for keep ones nose to the grindstone


Grammar : Verb
Spell : grahynd-stohn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈgraɪndˌstoʊn

Top 10 synonyms for keep ones nose to the grindstone Other synonyms for the word keep ones nose to the grindstone

Définition of keep ones nose to the grindstone

Origin :
  • early 13c. "millstone," from grind (v.) in sense of "sharpen" + stone (n.); meaning "revolving stone disc used for sharpening, etc." is from c.1400. Phrase nose to the grindstone in use by 1530s; originally to get control of another and treat him harshly:
  • This Text holdeth their noses so hard to the grindstone, that it clean disfigureth their Faces. [John Frith, "Mirror to know Thyself," 1532]
  • The main modern (reflective) sense of "work hard" is from 1828.
  • As in burn the candle at both ends : verb do too much
  • As in : verb work doggedly
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019