What does “Elbow grease” mean?
"Elbow grease" means putting in hard physical effort or manual labor.
What context can I use the in?
Example
You'll need some elbow grease to scrub off that stubborn stain.
Example
He put in a lot of elbow grease to finish the construction project on time.
Example
With a little elbow grease, the old car was restored to its former glory
Is “Elbow grease” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Elbow grease” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Elbow grease” effectively in context?
You can use "Elbow Grease" to emphasize the need for hard physical effort or manual labor. It is often used in situations where a task requires a lot of physical exertion. For example, if someone is struggling to clean a dirty surface, you might say, 'You'll need some "elbow grease" to scrub off that stubborn stain.'
- 1Cleaning
To remove the grime from the old furniture, she applied elbow grease and scrubbed vigorously.
- 2Construction
He put in a lot of elbow grease to finish the construction project on time.
- 3Restoration
With a little elbow grease, the old car was restored to its former glory.
Similar phrases to “Elbow grease”:
Roll up one's sleeves
To prepare for hard work or physical labor
Example
It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Elbow grease” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Elbow Grease" is unknown.
Is “Elbow grease” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Elbow Grease" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe the physical effort required to accomplish a task.
What tone does “Elbow grease” have?
"Elbow Grease" conveys a tone of hard work and determination. It is often used in a positive and encouraging manner to acknowledge the effort needed to achieve a goal.
Can “Elbow grease” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "elbow grease" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes physical effort. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She applied "elbow grease" to clean the dirty dishes.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to apply some "elbow grease"!' to imply the need for physical effort.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- exertion
- hard work
- physical effort
- manual labor
- sweat equity
Antonyms
- easy task
- minimal effort
- lazy approach
- slacking off
- taking it easy
