nose to the grindstone

== English == === Etymology === From the literal action of intensely working a grindstone, whether powered by a treadle or waterwheel. The expression initially implied punishment or abusive management, forcing the worker into intense work, and was used in the anonymous translation (1557) of Erasmus's Merry Dialogue as a hyperbolic punishment threatened for an abusive husband. It was later adapted to forcing oneself into similarly intense effort. === Noun === nose to the grindstone (plural noses to the grindstone or noses to grindstones) (idiomatic, obsolete) Used to form idioms meaning "to force someone to work hard or to focus intensely upon their work". a. 1533, John Frith, A Mirrour or Glasse to Know Thyselfe, sig. Avi v: This Text holdeth their noses so hard to the grynde stone that it clean disfigureth their faces. 1546, John Heywood, A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue, sig. Bii: I shall to reuenge former hurts,Hold their noses to grinstone. (idiomatic) Used to form idioms meaning "to force oneself to work hard or to focus intensely upon one's work". Synonym: see at strive ==== Usage notes ==== Variously placed after the verbs keep, put, bring, have, hold, etc., or used as a substantive adjective. ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === nose to the grindstone (not comparable) (idiomatic) Hard at work. ==== Synonyms ==== head down, bum up (UK) === References === “grindstone, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021. Helterbran, Valeri R. Exploring Idioms (2008), p. 67. Lee, Kaiman. Cartoon-Illustrated Metaphors (2004), p. 84.