Keep one's nose to the grindstone
Meaning
To work diligently and continuously without taking breaks or being distracted.
Origin
Imagine the craftsman of the 16th century, hunched intently over a rapidly spinning grindstone. To hone a blade to razor sharpness, they had to apply immense, unyielding pressure, their face so close to the stone that their nose was almost touching it, constantly watching the sparks fly and the edge form. This intense, focused, and often uncomfortable posture, essential for achieving perfection in their craft, gave birth to the idiom. It vividly captured the image of relentless, concentrated toil, where one's entire attention and effort were literally pressed into the demanding task at hand, leaving no room for distraction.
Examples
- If you want to finish this complex report by the deadline, you'll need to keep your nose to the grindstone all week.
- She kept her nose to the grindstone throughout her final year of university, earning top marks in all her subjects.