Nose to the grindstone

Meaning

Work persistently and diligently.

Usage

Used to praise sustained effort.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Grinding grain required leaning forward, nose near the grindstone.

Recorded in English since the 16th century.