work like a beaver

Idioms  

1. Also,. Work very energetically and hard, as in She worked like a beaver to clean out all the closets, or I've been working like a dog weeding the garden, or He's very strong and works like a horse. The first of these similes is the oldest, first recorded in 1741; the variants date from the second half of the 1800s. Also see work one's fingers to the bone.

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Example Sentences

The association between beavers and dutiful workers seems to have come later: Work like a beaver was used in the United States to describe conscientious employees as early as the 18 century, and eager beaver described overzealous employees as early as the 20.

From Slate

For years Miss Fanny's precarious finances induced her to part with a great flood of letters and manuscripts belonging to her father and Forger Spring had to work like a beaver to keep up with the demand.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Ah get ’im,” said Sam suddenly, and he dropped into the pit and began to work like a beaver.

From Project Gutenberg

To "work like a beaver" is an almost universal expression for energetic persistence, but who realizes that the beaver has accomplished anything?

From Project Gutenberg

Witness the following advertisement of one of his negro women for sale: 'To be sold, by the printer of this paper, the very best negro woman in this town, who has had the small pox and the measles; is as hearty as a horse, as brisk as a bird, will work like a beaver.'

From Project Gutenberg