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
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Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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Jackie Young made 4-of-6 from the 3-point line as part of her efforts, finishing with 18 points, seven assists, and three steals, with Jewell Loyd (14 points) and Dana Evans (13 points) contributing well off the bench.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the handle took a lot of work.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Norman's posts on social media, which primarily focused on community policing work, drew enough attention that in 2021 then-President Joe Biden awarded Norman and 15 others the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The polarising billionaire had spent only a few hours in prison upon his return from 15 years of self-exile in August 2023 before he was hospitalised after complaining of heart trouble and chest pains, prompting widespread scepticism and public outrage.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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And the Zoned Lumbar Support offers focused support for your lower back, ensuring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on your lumbar region, helping to alleviate aches and pains.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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