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
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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
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2024
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
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow grease
Noun
-
What To Know According to the Associated Press (AP), the vote enables the county Board of Supervisors to approve rent relief efforts to tenants who cannot afford to pay their monthly costs of living due to the immigration crackdowns.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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Doug McMillon, the company’s president and CEO, said the latest partnership with OpenAI is merely a powerful extension of the company’s own AI efforts and plans.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The researchers noted that torsional loading is not as strongly associated with injury risk as vertical loading, but future work may explore whether improved stroller design or posture cues could mitigate those twisting forces.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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The San Jose region’s faster bounce-back may be attributable in part to an easier commute to work than in San Francisco and the East Bay, and tech campuses with free parking, making in-office work more appealing, the Bay Area Council’s Saisz said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Aches and pains don’t compare to the agony of an unrealized dream.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Such pleasurable pains, at their most chronic, or their most carnal, can keep Lang occupied for the length of a stanza.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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