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
Then, buff out the marks with a sponge (this will take a bit of elbow grease), and finally, rinse off the Bar Keepers Friend before drying.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2025
Animal lovers, don’t miss your chance to stay at this heritage breed farm–no labor and elbow grease required.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
Using a good-quality leather cleaner and a little elbow grease is the simplest way to keep your leather goods in premium condition.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Restoring that familiar shine might take some elbow grease, but the results will be well worth the work.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2025
Animal lovers, don’t miss your chance to stay at this heritage breed farm–no labor and elbow grease required.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
Using a good-quality leather cleaner and a little elbow grease is the simplest way to keep your leather goods in premium condition.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Restoring that familiar shine might take some elbow grease, but the results will be well worth the work.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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