work (one's) tail off

(redirected from work your tail off)

work (one's) tail off

To work really hard (on or at something). I know you thought it was just a silly New Year's resolution, but I've been working my tail off at the gym! Sally and Jim work their tails off when we hold our user conference—I don't know what I'd do without them!
See also: off, tail, work

work one's tail off

 and work one's buns off; work one's ass off; work one's butt off
Inf. Fig. to work very hard. (Use caution with butt.) I worked my tail off to get done on time. You spend half your life working your butt off—and for what?
See also: off, tail, work
References in periodicals archive ?
But I also know if you work your tail off every day it's going to come back.
Wilfork, Kelly slowly returning to form
According to Mattison, most Baby Boomers bought into a plan when they started working: Come early, stay late, work your tail off and don't ask questions.
Head of the class: school has never been so cool
Why work your tail off when the slackers are getting the same "reward?" Even mediocre employees don't see it as a reward; it becomes an entitlement--an expected, meaningless component of their normal compensation.
Employee rewards
Frustrated go-getter: Here you work your tail off, but you feel you don't receive enough credit-or compensation.
Ways to keep your job from killing you
You pretty much work your tail off and live in these confined conditions for three days, and then you get usually a day and a half in a gorgeous hotel room with absolutely nothing to do, and you can just lie around.
Travelin' like a rock star: how Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears does it on the road
You work your tail off in school, so recharging the ol' batteries during break is cool.
What's Your Summer Fun Style?
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