Let’s explore the saying ‘nose to the grindstone’ together, understanding its meaning, origins, and real-life examples.
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘nose to the grindstone’ is a figurative expression used to describe someone who is working hard and diligently. It implies that the individual is fully focused on their tasks and is putting in a great deal of effort to achieve their goals. The phrase suggests a sense of dedication, perseverance, and determination in the face of challenges or obstacles.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase ‘nose to the grindstone’ can be traced back to the practice of sharpening tools, such as knives or axes, on a grindstone. To effectively sharpen a tool, one must press their nose against the grindstone while turning the handle, maintaining a steady and focused effort. Over time, the expression evolved to symbolize the idea of hard work and diligence, regardless of the specific task at hand.
10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations
1. Despite facing numerous setbacks, Sarah kept her ‘nose to the grindstone’ and eventually completed her dissertation.
2. John has been putting his ‘nose to the grindstone’ at the gym every day to prepare for the upcoming marathon.
3. Despite the long hours and demanding workload, the employees kept their ‘nose to the grindstone’ to meet the project deadline.
4. Despite the distractions around him, Tom kept his ‘nose to the grindstone’ and finished writing his novel.
5. Despite the challenges of starting her own business, Jane kept her ‘nose to the grindstone’ and eventually found success.
6. Despite the temptation to procrastinate, Mark kept his ‘nose to the grindstone’ and aced his exams.
7. Despite the criticism and doubts from others, Emily kept her ‘nose to the grindstone’ and pursued her passion for painting.
8. Despite the fatigue and exhaustion, David kept his ‘nose to the grindstone’ and completed the marathon.
9. Despite the financial struggles, Lisa kept her ‘nose to the grindstone’ and saved enough money to buy her first home.
10. Despite the setbacks in his career, Michael kept his ‘nose to the grindstone’ and eventually landed his dream job.
5 Quotes Featuring the Idiom
1. “Success comes to those who keep their ‘nose to the grindstone’ and never lose sight of their goals.” – Unknown
2. “In life, it’s important to keep your ‘nose to the grindstone’ and stay focused on what truly matters.” – Unknown
3. “The key to success is perseverance; keep your ‘nose to the grindstone’ and never give up.” – Unknown
4. “When faced with challenges, keep your ‘nose to the grindstone’ and let your determination guide you to victory.” – Unknown
5. “Hard work and dedication are the keys to success; keep your ‘nose to the grindstone’ and greatness will follow.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter N
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter N. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘N’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the N-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter N.
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