grind out

1. To produce something by crushing or pulverizing, as through a machine. A noun or pronoun can be used between "grind" and "out." The workers in here are grinding out flour from grain. When you buy a bag of unshelled pumpkin seeds, how were the seeds taken out of their shells? Were they ground out? This machine will grind out the wood so that you end up with small chips usable outside.

2. To make, create, or produce something perfunctorily and unenthusiastically. A noun or pronoun can be used between "grind" and "out." How many of these stupid articles do I have to grind out before someone at the magazine takes my work seriously? Sure, come on in—I'm just grinding out yet another report for the boss. He fancies himself something of a creative genius who doesn't just grind out paintings with commercial appeal.

3. To work hard to do or accomplish something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "grind" and "out." With hard work and a focus on defense, we should be able to grind out a victory against this team. It took hours to grind out a compromise, but we're finally in agreement now. A better agent would have ground out a contract for that star player by now.

ground out

In baseball, to hit a ground ball that leads to one being called "out" (as by an opposing player fielding the ball and throwing to or tagging first base). You'll ground out for sure if you hit a grounder towards first. A: "Aw, I missed Alex's at-bat? What happened?" B: "She ground out, second baseman to first baseman." A: "You can't beat out these grounders, so you should really try to hit more balls into the air. I bet you'd get on base more." B: "Wow, what brilliant advice! I'm not trying to ground out, you know."

ground out

v. Baseball

To be put out by hitting a ground ball that is caught by the first base player or is thrown to first base by another player: The game ended when our best batter grounded out on a curve ball.