grind out
To make or produce something with a lot of hard, slow effort — or to put out a cigarette by pressing it against something.
Meanings
To produce something through slow, sustained, and difficult effort, often without inspiration or ease.
"The journalist managed to grind out three articles a day despite her exhaustion."
(Sports) To secure a win or result through effort and determination rather than skill or dominance.
"The team weren't playing well, but they ground out a 1–0 victory in the final minutes."
To extinguish a cigarette or similar object by pressing and twisting it against a surface.
"He ground out his cigarette on the ashtray and stood up to leave."
The figurative 'produce with effort' sense is common in sports commentary (grinding out a win) and writing. The literal sense of extinguishing (a cigarette) is also well established. Often implies joyless, mechanical effort.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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