grindstone
Americannoun
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a rotating solid stone wheel used for sharpening, shaping, etc.
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a millstone.
idioms
noun
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a machine having a circular block of stone or composite abrasive rotated for sharpening tools or grinding metal
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the stone used in this machine
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any stone used for sharpening; whetstone
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another name for millstone
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to work hard and perseveringly
Etymology
Origin of grindstone
Explanation
A grindstone is a device for sharpening metal tools. If you're a farmer, or an ax-wielding goblin in a fantasy novel, you might be in need of a grindstone. Classic grindstones are wheels made of stone that hone the edges of metal blades held against them as they rotate. You might use such a grindstone to sharpen your shovel or pruning shears. If someone tells you to "keep your nose to the grindstone," they basically mean "work hard!" This colloquial phrase comes from the old-fashioned practice of knife grinders keeping their faces extremely close to the grindstone as they worked.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Peace in the Air also sells Grindstone clothing and art.
From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2023
In that case, Grindstone was sidelined by bone chips in his knee.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2019
The Hall of Fame trainer and former high school basketball coach had five starters in 1996, when he won with Grindstone, and three on five different occasions, including 1995 when he won with Thunder Gulch.
From Seattle Times • May 4, 2017
One ideal location was discovered in the early 1970s at Campbell Farm in Grindstone.
From Washington Times • Mar. 20, 2017
His sobs brought out Mrs. Grindstone into the gallery, to insist, with some asperity, that there should be no noise to awaken her mistress, who was in a sweet sleep.
From The Three Brides by Yonge, Charlotte Mary
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
