idiom · informal
keep your nose to the grindstone
UK/kiːp jɔːr nəʊz tuː ðə ˈɡraɪndˌstəʊn/US/kiːp jʊr noʊz tu ðə ˈɡraɪndˌstoʊn/keep·your·NOSE·to·the·GRIND·stone
to work hard and steadily for a long time without stopping
Examples
“If you keep your nose to the grindstone now, you'll finish the project on time.”
“She kept her nose to the grindstone to pass the certification.”
“Students who keep their nose to the grindstone usually see results.”
Band 8 sentence
“He kept his nose to the grindstone throughout the semester and his grades improved dramatically.”
Collocations
- keep your nose to the grindstone for + period (weeks/months)
- keep your nose to the grindstone to meet a deadline
- keep your nose to the grindstone at work/school
Word family
Common mistakes
I keep my nose on the grindstone.→I keep my nose to the grindstone.
He keeps his nose at the grindstone.→He keeps his nose to the grindstone.
Say it for a higher band
5study/work hard→6be very hardworking→7+keep your nose to the grindstone
Synonyms
work hard
Easily confused
work hard
“She works hard to support her family.”
Related words
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In Work
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