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Perseverance - Determination & Hard Work

Discover how English idioms like "stop at nothing" and "play for keeps" relate to determination and hard work in English.

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English idioms related to Perseverance
to [give] a good account of {oneself}

to perform, behave, or do something extremely well, particularly in a competitive situation

Ex: She gave a good account of herself during the debate and impressed everyone. 
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to [keep|put] {one's} nose to the grindstone

to continuously put a lot of effort into doing something

Ex: She kept her nose to the grindstone to finish the project on time. 
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to [play] for keeps

to do something in a very serious and determined manner without showing mercy

Ex: He decided to play for keeps in the business deal. 
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to [have] nothing to lose

to be in such a bad situation that it does not matter if one fails at something, because one's situation cannot get worse

Ex: I applied for the job because I had nothing to lose. 
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to [put|keep|set|have] {one's} [shoulder] to the wheel

to start something in a very energetic and determined manner

Ex: We need everyone to put their shoulder to the wheel if we want to finish this on time. 
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to [run] on fumes

to continue functioning despite being extremely tired

Ex: After three sleepless nights, I was running on fumes at work. 
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to [set] {one's} heart on {sth}

to have a strong desire to achieve or do something

Ex: She has set her heart on becoming a doctor. 
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to [stop] at nothing

to do whatever one can in order to achieve what one desires

Ex: She'll stop at nothing to get that promotion. 
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to [hang] (on|) in there

to continue trying to succeed regardless of difficulties or challenges

Ex: Hang in there, things will get better soon. 
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to [get] on top of {sth}

to be able to handle and manage a situation or thing successfully

Ex: After a hectic week, I finally got on top of my emails. 
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to [give] {one's} (right arm|eyetooth)

to stop at nothing to obtain or do something

Ex: I'd give my right arm to see that concert. 
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if it is the last thing {sb} [do]

used to show how extremely determined someone is to do something

Ex: I'll finish this project if it's the last thing I do. 
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once and for all

in a way that finalizes and completes the matter at hand

Ex: We need to settle this dispute once and for all. 
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stiff upper lip

the ability to hide one's emotions and seem calm in unpleasant or difficult situations

Ex: Her stiff upper lip helped her endure the family crisis. 
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there [is] no (stopping|holding) {sb}

used to say that preventing someone from doing something is not possible because of their determination

Ex: Once she decides what she wants, there is no stopping her. 
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to [break] the back of {sth}

to manage to finish the most important or most difficult part of something, particularly a task

Ex: After a long morning of cleaning, we finally broke the back of the housework. 
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like a dog with a bone

used to refer to someone who has made their decision and is not about to let anyone or anything stop them

Ex: Once she decides she wants an answer, she's like a dog with a bone. 
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to [eat] (the|that) frog

to encourage someone to start doing the most difficult or unpleasant task, rather than avoiding or postponing it

Ex: I always eat the frog first thing in the morning to get the toughest task done. 
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to [break] {one's} back

to work as hard as one can to achieve a particular result

Ex: She broke her back to keep the business alive during the crisis. 
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to [put] {one's} heart (and soul|) into {sth}

to devote much time and effort with optimism to accomplish a goal

Ex: She put her heart into building a better life for her family. 
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to [tie] up loose ends

to finish something that is left unfinished

Ex: Before leaving the office, she tied up all loose ends for the day. 
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to [step] on the gas

to make an attempt to do something better or faster than others

Ex: We need to step on the gas to finish the project before the deadline. 
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[like] {one's} [life] [depends] on it

with extreme effort, attention, or seriousness

Ex: She studied like her life depended on it. 
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like a (man|woman) on a mission

with strong focus, energy, and determination

Ex: She walked into the office like a woman on a mission. 
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no pain, no gain

used for saying that without working hard and experiencing difficulties, one cannot achieve anything

Ex: She pushed through the tough workout, reminding herself, "no pain, no gain." 
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