1 B2 idiomatic neutral
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."
separable
grind out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To produce something slowly and laboriously, or to extinguish something by crushing it.
In plain English
To make or produce something with a lot of hard, slow effort — or to put out a cigarette by pressing it against something.
What does "grind out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
(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."
separable
3 B1 neutral
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To produce something through grinding, or to extinguish by pressing and rubbing.
Actually means
To make or produce something with a lot of hard, slow effort — or to put out a cigarette by pressing it against something.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "grind out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
win result victory content words cigarette
How to conjugate "grind out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
grind out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grinds out
he/she/it
Past simple
grinded out
yesterday
Past participle
grinded out
have + pp
-ing form
grinding out
continuous
Hear "grind out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "grind out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "grind out"
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Keep exploring
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