7 Best Idioms for Hard Work with Meaning and Example

Hard work is the key to success, and we all know that. But sometimes, it becomes difficult to express this feeling in words. That is where idioms or metaphorical phrases come into play. Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words used. So, if you want to evade the plain word called ‘Hard work’ without losing its meaning, then here are the best idioms for hard work with their meaning and example to make you sound as good as a native English speaker.

Also Read: Understanding Idioms: Examples and Meanings

Burn the Midnight Oil

Burning the midnight oil is symbolic of working late into the night. To be precise, you might go the extra mile like working overnight in the office or pulling an all-nighter to ace your academics or any business project. 

Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to complete my project before the deadline.

Put One’s Nose to the Grindstone

Similarly, someone who puts one’s nose to the grindstone is sincere enough to work hard and diligently to succeed in his goal. 

Example: If you want to succeed in life, you have to put your nose to the grindstone and work hard.

Sweat of One’s Brow

The effort and hard work put into something is both literally and figuratively symbolic of the idiom Sweat of one’s brow. 

Example: The success of this project is due to the sweat of our brow.

Also Read: 7 Best Idioms for Achieving Goals You Should Know

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

This idiom, ‘Blood Sweat and Tears’ meaning is similar to the other idioms for hard work as well. It means that the person concerned is not willing to take any chance and is willing to put in extreme effort and hard work to succeed. 

Example: He put in blood, sweat, and tears to get where he is today.

Keep One’s Nose to the Grindstone

When you say ‘Keep one’s nose to the grindstone, then it means you want to continue working hard and diligently.

Example: If you want to achieve your goals, you have to keep your nose to the grindstone and work hard.

Work One’s Fingers to the Bone

This idiom means to work extremely hard irrespective of the circumstances. To elaborate, it hints about the uncomfortable situation of the person in action. 

Example: She worked her fingers to the bone to provide for her family.

Roll up one’s sleeves

The idiom Roll up one’s sleeves is the best motivator to prepare for hard work or getting started. 

Example: It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work if we want to meet our deadline.

Also Read: Idioms for IELTS

These idioms are perfect for expressing the value of hard work. They not only convey the message but also add a touch of creativity and humour to the conversation. 

So next time you want to talk about hard work, remember these idioms, and you will be sure to impress! To read more about idioms you can check our page at Leverage Edu.