Work your fingers to the bone
phrase
To work extremely hard and for a very long period of time.
He worked his fingers to the bone to provide for his family.
Often appears as...
- worked his fingers to the bone
- working your fingers to the bone
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To work extremely hard and for a very long period of time.
He worked his fingers to the bone to provide for his family.
Often appears as...
- worked his fingers to the bone
- working your fingers to the bone
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorically Speaking
The phrase is not literal; it's not about actual fingers or bones, but about extreme effort in work.
She's working her fingers to the bone studying for exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Emphasized
Use it to express a very high level of effort, almost to the point of exhaustion.
During the harvest, farmers often work their fingers to the bone.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Use
This phrase is intense. Don't use it for regular daily tasks or light workloads.
While preparing for the product launch, the team worked their fingers to the bone.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorically Speaking
The phrase is not literal; it's not about actual fingers or bones, but about extreme effort in work.
She's working her fingers to the bone studying for exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Emphasized
Use it to express a very high level of effort, almost to the point of exhaustion.
During the harvest, farmers often work their fingers to the bone.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Use
This phrase is intense. Don't use it for regular daily tasks or light workloads.
While preparing for the product launch, the team worked their fingers to the bone.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorically Speaking
The phrase is not literal; it's not about actual fingers or bones, but about extreme effort in work.
She's working her fingers to the bone studying for exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Emphasized
Use it to express a very high level of effort, almost to the point of exhaustion.
During the harvest, farmers often work their fingers to the bone.
Pro Tip 3/3Not for Casual Use
This phrase is intense. Don't use it for regular daily tasks or light workloads.
While preparing for the product launch, the team worked their fingers to the bone.
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