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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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
Along with all the elbow grease the pair have to put into each project, viewers will see the tearjerking moments that come with every big reveal.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 24 July 2025
Where are the accounts of countless hard-working business owners and employees who, at their own expense and with their own elbow grease, repeatedly remove the results of these constant acts of malicious vandalism?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
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
Along with all the elbow grease the pair have to put into each project, viewers will see the tearjerking moments that come with every big reveal.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 24 July 2025
Where are the accounts of countless hard-working business owners and employees who, at their own expense and with their own elbow grease, repeatedly remove the results of these constant acts of malicious vandalism?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow grease
Noun
-
Jim Walden, independent candidate for New York City mayor, on Tuesday dropped out of the race while calling on other hopefuls to get behind the second-most popular choice in an effort to defeat New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Official parade narrators also highlighted China’s efforts focused on ensuring internet and information security.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At work, prioritize diverse, representative, ethical datasets while investing in continuous learning for both AI and human literacy.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
His work is recognized for rejecting straight lines in favor of rounded, continuous forms and for being approachable yet full of personality.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To investors, such progress offers ample reasons to overlook short-term pains like the company’s dip in profitability, says Wang.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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The editorial takes pains to quote the school board, the board president and the Illinois Policy Institute, a right-wing and anti-labor organization, without any quotes from the association or its president.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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