keep (one's) nose to the grindstone
To work hard and/or diligently on something. I'm so impressed by your grades, honey—you really kept your nose to the grindstone this year, and it paid off! I've got to keep my nose to the grindstone if I'm going to get this promotion.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
keep your nose to the grindstone
If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you continue to work very hard and do not spend time on other things. I know if I keep my nose to the grindstone and work hard, things will work out. There is more to life than keeping your nose to the grindstone and saving for a rainy day. Note: You can also say that you put your nose to the grindstone, meaning that you start to work hard. If she focuses and puts her nose to the grindstone, I think she'll do extremely well. Note: A grindstone is a stone disc that moves around and is used to sharpen metal tools. The reference here is to a person bending over the grindstone while they are working, so that their nose is close to it.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
keep your nose to the grindstone
work hard and continuously. A grindstone was a thick revolving disc of stone on which knives and tools were sharpened. Appearing in various forms since the mid 16th century, this idiom originally referred to getting mastery over someone else by forcing them to work without a break.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
keep your ˌnose to the ˈgrindstone
(informal) continue to work very hard: Keep your nose to the grindstone and you should pass the exam easily. OPPOSITE: put your feet upA grindstone is a machine used for grinding, sharpening and polishing knives and tools.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017