workhorse

American  

[wurk-hawrs] / ˈwɜrkˌhɔrs /

noun

1. a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.

2. a person who works tirelessly at a task, assumes extra duties, etc.

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workhorse British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a horse used for nonrecreational activities

2. informal a person who takes on the greatest amount of work in a project or job

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Etymology

Origin of workhorse

First recorded in 1535–45; work + horse

Example Sentences

It is somewhat like asking a strong workhorse to pull a plow while obstacles constantly appear in its path faster than anyone can react.

From Science Daily

Its distribution workhorses–theaters and linear TV networks–are both in decline, and streaming is not ready to take over yet.

From Barron's

A passionate workhorse, he averaged around one documentary every few years for a long time, and kept the industry pressure off by maintaining low production costs and having his own production company.

From Barron's

Surging demand from the artificial intelligence, green energy and defence sectors has exponentially boosted demand for the workhorse metal that underpins power grids, data centres and electric vehicles.

From Barron's

Hershey wants its 125-year-old, workhorse chocolate brand to work a little harder.

From The Wall Street Journal