as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
she loves coming up with the "big idea" but hates the actual pick-and-shovel work of starting a new business
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Recent Examples of pick-and-shovel
Constellation Energy has surged 94% as a pick-and-shovel beneficiary of the AI boom.
—
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
The biggest beneficiaries here aren’t only the flashy tech giants but also the pick-and-shovel players: processor makers, cooling system vendors, and the unsung heroes of database architecture etc.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The core operation and a smattering of pick-and-shovel prospects mined the surface gold that was easily extracted by hand from exposed late Cretaceous-period rocks that shed bits of precious minerals in flakes, nuggets and dust.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
The biggest beneficiaries here aren’t only the flashy tech giants but also the pick-and-shovel players: processor makers, cooling system vendors, and the unsung heroes of database architecture etc.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The core operation and a smattering of pick-and-shovel prospects mined the surface gold that was easily extracted by hand from exposed late Cretaceous-period rocks that shed bits of precious minerals in flakes, nuggets and dust.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick-and-shovel
Adjective
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In his 12 seasons, the Mustangs have played a challenging independent schedule featuring many Class 3A and 4A programs.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
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This challenging late-season stretch comes with the Heat trying to avoid the play-in tournament for the first time in four years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Kansas played the Blue Devils close and made life difficult for Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, largely thanks to Flory Bidunga’s defense.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Parents in attendance shared appreciation for seeing teens connect with older adults, especially during a stage of life when meaningful conversation at home can sometimes feel more difficult.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Middle linebacker is one of the toughest positions to play in today’s game, but Smith has the mental makeup to run the front of this defense.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The Senate map will likely get tougher for Democrats in future elections.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These included funding more rigorous trials for therapies and improving communication devices.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
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For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Airlines are struggling to keep up with costs, and customers are becoming more demanding.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
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Exercise and demanding activities should be done in the early morning and evening.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ubers are typically available in-season, but may be harder to get during odd hours or bad weather.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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The team is also developing a next-generation robotic hand to address swelling in harder-to-treat areas, expanding the potential of soft-robotic therapy beyond wearable sleeves.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Golden Horse Best Actors Wu Kang Ren and Tse Kwan Ho play the formidable Poon patriarch and son.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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Last year’s Terrapins made a Sweet 16 run and lost to formidable South Carolina by just four points.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The attacks have, however, complicated peace efforts in the region where mass graves were recently found.—
OPE ADETAYO,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
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The more complicated the process feels, the more likely people are to give up halfway through.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick-and-shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick-and-shovel. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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