What does “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” mean?
"Work One's Fingers to the Bone" means to work extremely hard, putting in a tremendous amount of effort and labor.
What context can I use the in?
Example
She worked her fingers to the bone to finish the project on time.
Example
He works his fingers to the bone to provide for his family.
Example
They worked their fingers to the bone to build their successful business
Is “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” 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 “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” effectively in context?
You can use "Work One’s Fingers to the Bone" to describe someone who is working extremely hard. It emphasizes the level of effort and dedication put into a task or job. For example, if a friend is studying day and night for an important exam, you might say, 'She's working her fingers to the bone to pass that test.'
- 1Personal Achievement
To achieve her dream of becoming a professional dancer, she worked her fingers to the bone and practiced for hours every day.
- 2Financial Stability
He works his fingers to the bone to provide for his family and ensure they have a comfortable life.
- 3Entrepreneurship
They worked their fingers to the bone to build their successful business from the ground up.
Similar phrases to “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone”:
Sweat blood
To work extremely hard and put in a lot of effort
Example
He sweated blood to complete the project on time.
Put one's nose to the grindstone
To work diligently and persistently
Example
She put her nose to the grindstone to master the new skill.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Work One’s Fingers to the Bone" is unknown.
Is “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Work One’s Fingers to the Bone" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe someone who is putting in a tremendous amount of effort and working very hard.
What tone does “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” have?
"Work One’s Fingers to the Bone" conveys a tone of admiration and recognition for someone's hard work and dedication. It's often used to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of individuals who go above and beyond in their work or pursuits.
Can “Work One’s Fingers to the Bone” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Work One’s Fingers to the Bone" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that highlights the level of effort and commitment someone puts into their work. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional writing.
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 "worked her fingers to the bone" to achieve her goals.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "work my fingers to the bone"!' to express readiness for hard work.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- work one's tail off
- put in long hours
- toil tirelessly
- slave away
- bust one's chops
Antonyms
- take it easy
- slack off
- laze around
- do the bare minimum
- coast through
