beaver away
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: - To work very hard and diligently on a task or project, often for a long period of time.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used to describe persistent, industrious effort, similar to the hardworking nature of a beaver. It is often followed by the preposition "at" or "on" to specify the task. - He's been beavering away at his thesis for months. - She beavered away in the lab all weekend to finish the experiment.
Advanced Usage
- The verb can be used in continuous tenses to emphasize ongoing, sustained effort.
- I found him beavering away in his office long after everyone had gone home.
- It often carries a slightly informal or colloquial tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Beaver (verb): The base verb, less common, meaning to work hard.
- He's been beavering at that report all day.
Synonyms
- Work away: To continue working steadily.
- Plug away: To work doggedly or persistently.
- Slog away: To work hard over a long period, especially at something difficult.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(As the target term is itself a phrasal verb, this section lists other phrasal verbs with a similar meaning of sustained effort.) - Grind away: To work at something persistently and laboriously. - He's grinding away at his math homework. - Plod away: To work slowly and steadily, even if boring. - She just plods away at her data entry tasks.
Related Idioms
- Keep one's nose to the grindstone: To work hard and continuously.
- If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you'll finish the project on time.
Verb
- work hard on something