keep one's shoulder to the wheel

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb phrase: - To work doggedly or persistently; to continue working hard and diligently, especially at a difficult or long-term task. This idiom describes sustained, determined effort without giving up, often in the face of challenges or monotony.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe a person's persistent and steady effort. It emphasizes consistent hard work over time. - It is typically used in continuous tenses (e.g., is keeping, has been keeping) to emphasize ongoing action. - It often follows a personal pronoun (e.g., he, she, they) or a person's name. - It implies the work is demanding and requires perseverance.

Examples
  • Verb phrase:
    • Despite numerous setbacks, she kept her shoulder to the wheel and finally finished the project.
    • If you want to succeed in this field, you have to keep your shoulder to the wheel every single day.
    • He has been keeping his shoulder to the wheel for months to prepare for the bar exam.
Advanced Usage
  • "to put one's shoulder to the wheel": This variant often describes the initial act of applying oneself diligently to a task.
    • It's time to stop complaining and put your shoulder to the wheel.
Variants and Related Words
  • Plug away (at something) (phrasal verb): To work steadily and persistently at a task. This is a close synonym often used in the provided reference context.
    • She keeps plugging away at her dissertation.
  • Persevere (verb): To continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty.
  • Grind (verb, informal): To work hard at something over a long period, often implying it is tedious.
Synonyms
  • Work diligently
  • Persist
  • Apply oneself
  • Stay the course
  • Keep at it
  • Keep one's nose to the grindstone (a very similar idiom)
Related Idioms
  • Keep one's nose to the grindstone: To work hard and continuously, very similar in meaning to "keep one's shoulder to the wheel."
    • He kept his nose to the grindstone and got promoted within a year.
  • Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.
    • She's been burning the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
Verb
  1. work doggedly or persistently
    • She keeps plugging away at her dissertation

Từ đồng nghĩa