put in the hard yards

== English == === Etymology === A sporting analogy referring to the game of rugby football, where making progress on the field, in measurements of yards, may lead to accomplishment and victory. Alternatively derived from sailing, when furling or unfurling the canvas from certain (perhaps higher) spars was both dangerous and difficult. === Pronunciation === === Noun === the hard yards pl (plural only) (originally Australia) The key effort in completing a difficult task. Synonym: heavy lifting do the hard yards put in the hard yards === References === === Further reading === Eric Partridge (2005), “hard yards”, in Tom Dalzell and Terry Victor, editors, The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, volume 1 (A–I), London; New York, N.Y.: Routledge, →ISBN, page 967.