- Meaning
- This idiom describes working diligently and persistently, with unwavering focus, as if keeping one’s nose close to a grindstone while sharpening tools. It conveys hard work or discipline, often used in professional, personal, or educational contexts to praise or urge effort. The phrase carries a tone of encouragement, duty, or toil, reflecting cultural values of perseverance and the human tendency to prioritize tasks. Its industrial imagery evokes relentless labor, resonating in scenarios like studying or deadlines. The idiom promotes dedication, making it a gritty metaphor for sustained effort.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, tied to millers or blacksmiths grinding tools, with the nose-close image emphasizing focus, as noted in trade records. Its earliest recorded use appears in John Frith’s *A Mirrour to Know Thyself* (1532). The idiom gained traction in 19th-century America, amplified by industrial culture and literature, notably in Horatio Alger’s rags-to-riches tales. Its spread was boosted by work ethic rhetoric, with *The New York Times* using it for labor. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and work relevance.
- Variants
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- Nose to the grindstone
- Keep nose to the grindstone
- Grindstone nose
- Examples
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- Keep your nose to the grindstone, and you’ll finish the report by tomorrow.
- Nose to the grindstone, she studied all night for the exam.
- He kept his nose to the grindstone, working overtime to meet deadlines.
- Grindstone nose, they called him, always focused on tasks.
- Keep nose to the grindstone, and the project will succeed.
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