grindstone是用來碾碎、把刀子磨利,或是將寶石拋光的機器。這個用語來源可能和磨麵粉或磨刀有關。以磨粉這個起源來說,據說研磨的人會把鼻子湊近機器旁聞聞看是否有燒焦味。至於磨刀匠則是會在磨刀時,把臉跟刀貼近磨刀石。一般認為這個說法起源於16世紀。
所以nose to the grindstone是埋頭苦幹的意思,英文的解釋是:To work hard and/or diligently on something.
例句:
I'd better keep my nose to the grindstone if I want to finish the project on time.
如果我想準時完成這個案子,我最好繼續埋頭苦幹。
You really kept your nose to the grindstone this year, and it paid off!
你今年真的很刻苦,把債都還清了!
I've got to keep my nose to the grindstone if I'm going to get this promotion.
如果我要升職的話,我得全力以赴。
看看老外聊天時怎麼用:
Kevin:I'm really having a lot of trouble with my essay.
我的論文真的遇到許多麻煩。
Cathy:| know what you mean.Writing a 20-page essay is a tough job.
我懂你的意思。寫一篇20頁的論文真的很不簡單。
Kevin:I'm worried that I can't finish it on time.
我擔心無法準時完成。
Cathy:Put your nose to the grindstone and you should finish it OK.
只要你認真去寫應該就可以順利完成。
說到埋頭苦幹,你還可以用下面的說法表達:
work hard認真工作
buckle down開始認真做
plug away埋頭苦幹