Grindstone
noun
A hard, round stone surface that you use with other tools to grind or sharpen metal.
The blacksmith sharpened the sword on the grindstone.
noun
Used in the phrase 'keep your nose to the grindstone' to show when someone works really hard and continuously.
She keeps her nose to the grindstone and it's no surprise that she's top of the class
Often appears as...
- keep your nose to the grindstone
- put their nose to the grindstone
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A hard, round stone surface that you use with other tools to grind or sharpen metal.
The blacksmith sharpened the sword on the grindstone.
noun
Used in the phrase 'keep your nose to the grindstone' to show when someone works really hard and continuously.
She keeps her nose to the grindstone and it's no surprise that she's top of the class
Often appears as...
- keep your nose to the grindstone
- put their nose to the grindstone
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Tool Association
Connect 'grindstone' with tools and manual labor in historical or craft contexts.
The miller used the grindstone to produce flour.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Imagery
Picture a large, wheel-shaped stone; it was traditionally turned by hand or animal power.
The old grindstone still stood in the barn.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharpening Context
Specifically think of 'grindstone' when discussing sharpening metal objects like knives or tools.
He turned the grindstone to sharpen the axe.
Pro Tip 1/3Tool Association
Connect 'grindstone' with tools and manual labor in historical or craft contexts.
The miller used the grindstone to produce flour.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Imagery
Picture a large, wheel-shaped stone; it was traditionally turned by hand or animal power.
The old grindstone still stood in the barn.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharpening Context
Specifically think of 'grindstone' when discussing sharpening metal objects like knives or tools.
He turned the grindstone to sharpen the axe.
Pro Tip 1/3Tool Association
Connect 'grindstone' with tools and manual labor in historical or craft contexts.
The miller used the grindstone to produce flour.
Pro Tip 2/3Visual Imagery
Picture a large, wheel-shaped stone; it was traditionally turned by hand or animal power.
The old grindstone still stood in the barn.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharpening Context
Specifically think of 'grindstone' when discussing sharpening metal objects like knives or tools.
He turned the grindstone to sharpen the axe.
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Video examples
New and Improved PIPE...
out there right now I got a catch fish in order for me to keep this boat otherwise I can go belly up rock and roll let's do this Sandra is gonna be my guy and I'm gonna have Geordie as my dad Ken we're here to prove that we can beat a number one boat in the fleet period put her head down the grindstone stay dialed in stay out
Video examples
Jeffrey Brown: How we...
who put their heads down and their nose to the grindstone, who checked their egos at the door and saw the whole as greater than the sum of its parts, and came together and found ways to work with youth out on the streets,
Video examples
New and Improved PIPE...
out there right now I got a catch fish in order for me to keep this boat otherwise I can go belly up rock and roll let's do this Sandra is gonna be my guy and I'm gonna have Geordie as my dad Ken we're here to prove that we can beat a number one boat in the fleet period put her head down the grindstone stay dialed in stay out
Video examples
Jeffrey Brown: How we...
who put their heads down and their nose to the grindstone, who checked their egos at the door and saw the whole as greater than the sum of its parts, and came together and found ways to work with youth out on the streets,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Mark Schlereth
I think you'll be surprised at how much more production you can get out of employees if you respect them, befriend them, let them know they're crucial to the company - and then show by example how important it is to put their nose to the grindstone.
Quote examples
David Steward
American Businessman
One of the reasons we are profitable is the changes that we've made and the long-term relationships we've built with major corporations. We have gotten out there and put our nose to the grindstone and simply been competitive.
Quote examples
Andy Roddick
American Athlete
I've been pretty good about keeping my nose to the grindstone. I feel like I won a lot of matches from hard work and persistence, even maybe when I had better options as far as shot-making.
Quote examples
Bobby Lashley
American Wrestler
When I started, I just put my nose to the grindstone, had great trainers and opponents like Fit Finlay, Arn Anderson, Booker T, Umaga and Bob Holly, and good things started to happen.
Quote examples
Robert Reich
American Economist
The faith that anyone could move from rags to riches - with enough guts and gumption, hard work and nose to the grindstone - was once at the core of the American Dream.
Quote examples
Rob Riggle
American Actor
Honestly, I just keep my nose to the grindstone and keep working. At the end of the day, that's usually one of those things that's going to get you ahead.
Quote examples
Rich Swann
American Wrestler
I always kept my nose to the grindstone and I always waited for my opportunity patiently. That's what I feel you have to do in WWE to succeed.
Quote examples
Kym Marsh
To be in a soap you have to be someone who is prepared to be at the grindstone, because it's all hands on deck.
Quote examples
Anne Murray
Canadian Musician
I didn't have a life. Basically, for 40 years it was my work and my nose was to the grindstone the whole time.
Quote examples
Jim Rash
American Actor
You'd just die if you put your head to the grindstone.
Quote examples
Mark Schlereth
I think you'll be surprised at how much more production you can get out of employees if you respect them, befriend them, let them know they're crucial to the company - and then show by example how important it is to put their nose to the grindstone.
Quote examples
David Steward
American Businessman
One of the reasons we are profitable is the changes that we've made and the long-term relationships we've built with major corporations. We have gotten out there and put our nose to the grindstone and simply been competitive.
Quote examples
Andy Roddick
American Athlete
I've been pretty good about keeping my nose to the grindstone. I feel like I won a lot of matches from hard work and persistence, even maybe when I had better options as far as shot-making.
Quote examples
Bobby Lashley
American Wrestler
When I started, I just put my nose to the grindstone, had great trainers and opponents like Fit Finlay, Arn Anderson, Booker T, Umaga and Bob Holly, and good things started to happen.
Quote examples
Robert Reich
American Economist
The faith that anyone could move from rags to riches - with enough guts and gumption, hard work and nose to the grindstone - was once at the core of the American Dream.
Quote examples
Rob Riggle
American Actor
Honestly, I just keep my nose to the grindstone and keep working. At the end of the day, that's usually one of those things that's going to get you ahead.
Quote examples
Rich Swann
American Wrestler
I always kept my nose to the grindstone and I always waited for my opportunity patiently. That's what I feel you have to do in WWE to succeed.
Quote examples
Kym Marsh
To be in a soap you have to be someone who is prepared to be at the grindstone, because it's all hands on deck.
Quote examples
Anne Murray
Canadian Musician
I didn't have a life. Basically, for 40 years it was my work and my nose was to the grindstone the whole time.
Quote examples
Jim Rash
American Actor
You'd just die if you put your head to the grindstone.
Example 1 of 10
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