grindstone

American  

[grahynd-stohn] / ˈgraɪndˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a rotating solid stone wheel used for sharpening, shaping, etc.

2. a millstone.

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idioms

1. keep / put one's nose to the grindstone, to work, study, or practice hard and steadily or to cause someone to do so.

   If I put my nose to the grindstone, I'll finish the job this week.

grindstone British  

/ ˈɡraɪndˌstəʊn /

noun

1. 1. a machine having a circular block of stone or composite abrasive rotated for sharpening tools or grinding metal

   2. the stone used in this machine

   3. any stone used for sharpening; whetstone

2. another name for millstone

3. to work hard and perseveringly

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grindstone More Idioms  

1. see nose to the grindstone.

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Etymology

Origin of grindstone

1175–1225; Middle English. See grind, stone

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

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

Even if you can’t permanently retire from the full-time grindstone, your low expenses buy you a lot of flexibility.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2023

No, now that he had arrived, he must keep his nose to the grindstone.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

• assignment
• burden
• business
• duty
• effort
• exercise
• function
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• responsibility
• undertaking
• work