as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
with a little polish and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to make the old silver teapot shine again
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elbow grease
Some offer ergonomic designs, but all just need your elbow grease to operate.
—
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
Options that are marketed to be compatible with multiple dryers were tested across a variety of dryers with different shapes and sizes to confirm the claim; those that slipped off the nozzle or took elbow grease to lock in were removed from our list.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and apply the elbow grease.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 17 Sep. 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
Options that are marketed to be compatible with multiple dryers were tested across a variety of dryers with different shapes and sizes to confirm the claim; those that slipped off the nozzle or took elbow grease to lock in were removed from our list.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and apply the elbow grease.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 17 Sep. 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow grease
Noun
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Even as federal funding resumes, local colleges, businesses and nonprofits are joining county agencies in maintaining relief efforts for as long as Sacramento-area residents need them.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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The first Black cemetery in Tarrant County, home to the remains of more than 500 veterans, was rededicated on Veterans Day after a months-long restoration effort.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The team envisions this work accelerating the transition from laboratory prototypes to large-scale production, aligning closely with the nation’s carbon peaking and neutrality targets.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
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Max Olson is writer-director and video artist based in New York & Los Angeles whose work aims to hold up a mirror to the restrictive structures of our world with an eye toward transcendence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But while pains de garde can be eaten all week long, baguettes go stale quickly, leading to significant waste in French households.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Eager to assimilate, Japanese farmers took pains to learn English.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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