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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Here’s a look at five of Colorado’s scariest, most challenging ski slopes.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Competing in the relay of this event is heroic, choosing the individual adult event is up there at the top of challenging events.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mascherano said his second-half lineup change was a difficult one to make.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The winners said the warmer-than-normal conditions made a challenging course even more difficult.—
Bo Evans,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Heat’s climb to get out of the play-in tournament this season just got tougher.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Regulation overseas may be a tougher sell.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Many rigorous studies show that these ads can benefit patients’ health by encouraging them to seek lifesaving treatment for conditions such as depression and heart disease and sparking conversations with their doctors.—
Anna Chorniy,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The school has a little bit of everything with 34 athletic teams, 50 clubs and rigorous college-level academics.—
February 27,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Soccer is not only physical, but extremely mentally demanding.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Paul’s life as a doctor, academic, teacher, doer, and optimist created a demanding legacy.—
Chelsea Clinton,
Vanity Fair,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For now, clarity is powering media shares higher, but conviction in AI is proving harder to sustain.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The hard part is getting a deal done.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With platinum plaques, festival stages, and a partnership with Scott that has evolved into a formidable creative enterprise, Chase B’s career stands at a pivotal inflection point.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In Angola, the Cuban revolutionary Jorge Risquet spent several years coordinating Cuban and Soviet support for the country’s Marxist government fighting, and defeating, a formidable tandem of CIA cash and South African firepower.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jurisdictional squabbles with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represented over-the-air performers on broadcast media, complicated matters.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Outside of the campus, the case has underscored how deeply divided views over the war in Gaza have complicated court proceedings, with attorneys clashing over whether political opinions should influence jury selection, defense arguments or witness testimony.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick-and-shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick-and-shovel. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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