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
Weber Griddle Scraper $22 $19 (14% off) Amazon $19
Weber
Other people have their own methods, but my preference for cleaning griddles tends to use more steam than elbow grease.
—
Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Unlike bulky box graters that can take up space and food processors that require power, the best paddle graters store flat in a utensil drawer and only require a little elbow grease for power.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 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
Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Unlike bulky box graters that can take up space and food processors that require power, the best paddle graters store flat in a utensil drawer and only require a little elbow grease for power.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 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
-
In a phone call with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette shortly after the petition was filed, Richardson mostly declined to comment on his own health and the recall effort.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Gainwell could have forced the Steelers to give him more of the share, especially in an effort to keep Jaylen Warren healthy.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And now more employees are finding that talking about it at work can be, too.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Composure personified, underpinned by tremendous work rate.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Monster has debuted into this very fraught political moment where, despite no evidence showing a link between violence and transness, right-wingers have gone to great pains to paint almost every mass shooter who makes front page news as trans in hopes of stripping trans people of their rights.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
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The medium-firm memory foam balances a cozy, sink-in feeling with actual support that won’t leave you with aches and pains come morning.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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