work away (at something)
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work away (at something)
To put forth a persistent, diligent, and devoted effort (toward some task or activity). I've been working away at my manuscript for the last month. Our whole team has been working away to get the project finished in time.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
work away (at something)
to continue to work industriously at something. All the weavers were working away at their looms. They just kept working away.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
work away
v.
1. To labor continuously with zealousness or diligence: I've been working away on the problem all night. I worked away at the problem until I solved it. We must work away until we are finished.
2. To remove or eliminate something from something by repeated, continuous, or applied effort: I worked away the rough spots with sandpaper. I worked the metal burrs away with a rasp.
3. To damage, diminish, erode, or consume by long or hard use, attrition, or exposure: Years of exposure to rain and snow finally worked away the paint. You can see where the hinges have worked the wood away.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.