nose to the grindstone

Definition

Used to form idioms meaning "to force someone to work hard or to focus intensely upon their work".

Etymology

From the literal action of intensely working a grindstone, whether powered by a treadle or waterwheel. The expression initially implied punishment or abusive management, forcing the worker into intense work, and was used in the anonymous translation (1557) of Erasmus's Merry Dialogue as a hyperbolic punishment threatened for an abusive husband. It was later adapted to forcing oneself into similarly intense effort.

Example Sentences

• "This Text holdeth their noses so hard to the grynde stone that it clean disfigureth their faces."
• "I shall to reuenge former hurts, Hold their noses to grinstone."
• "Be to the Poor like onie whunstane, And haud their noses to the grunstane."