grindstone
Americannoun
-
a rotating solid stone wheel used for sharpening, shaping, etc.
-
a millstone.
idioms
noun
-
-
a machine having a circular block of stone or composite abrasive rotated for sharpening tools or grinding metal
-
the stone used in this machine
-
any stone used for sharpening; whetstone
-
-
another name for millstone
-
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.
If the victory against Croatia made watching England fun, this was back to the grindstone where they were forced to do the dirty work, but could not break through.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
If she works hard, keeps her nose to the grindstone, and remains diligent, within a few years she might even find herself making six figures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2024
The average person who “just puts their nose to the grindstone and goes to work, I don’t think that motivates them. I think it scares them and freezes them.”
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2024
Ms. Ward, a mother of three sons and a grandmother, did allow herself to enjoy the achievement just a little before putting her nose back to the grindstone.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 22, 2023
Timothy said that the sand in the sea water acted like a grindstone on the sharp edges of the coral.
From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor
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.
