Impelled to keep one self-busy all the time, always working hard

Etymology:

  • In 16th century, a similar phrase was used by a Dutch Scholar. A grind stone is a disc shaped tool to grind grains, or polish or sharpen different tools. While working on a grindstone, you have to bend over it with your face near to stone. The visage that forms in this state referring to someone with his “nose to the grindstone” reflects that he is working extremely hard and continuous. The nose has been used in many idioms, “nose out of joint", “pay through the nose”, and “keep your nose cleaned.
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Those who keep their nose to the grindstone, surely touch the skies.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Translation

Find a translation for the Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone phrase in other languages:

Κρατήστε τη μύτη σας στον άξονα

mantén tu nariz en la piedra de afilar

garde ton nez sur la meule

鼻を砥石につけて

nasum tuum et custodias uice cotis

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    "Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/keep-your-nose-to-the-grindstone_44805>.

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