nose to the grindstone

Cultural  

1. To work extremely hard: “Emily takes her bar exam next month, so she really has her nose to the grindstone.”

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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

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

“It’s just about keeping your nose to the grindstone, and when the opportunities find you, seize every moment — every opportunity you get.”

From Seattle Times

"All I remember is just kind of keeping my nose to the grindstone and wanting to do the best I could as - I didn't realize at the time, but that was because I always wanted to be better prepared for the next step," he continued.

From BBC

This wry observation provides the background to Thomas’s work ethic — nose to the grindstone, stay focused, and do what needs to be done.

From Washington Post