early 13c. "millstone," from grind (v.) in sense of "sharpen" + stone (n.); meaning
"revolving stone disc used for sharpening, etc." is from c. 1400. Phrase nose to the grindstone in use by 1530s; originally to get control of another and treat him harshly:
This Text holdeth their noses so hard to the grindstone, that it clean disfigureth their Faces. [John Frith, "Mirror to know Thyself," 1532]
The phrase's main modern (reflexive) sense of "working hard" is from 1828.
实用例句
1. Take the sickle which is lying on the grindstone.
把磨刀石上的那把镰刀拿去.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. A knife is sharpened on the grindstone; steel is tempered in fire.
刀在石上磨, 钢在火中炼.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. I will take exams in two weeks, so I'm keeping my nose to the grindstone just at the moment.
我两星期后要考试, 因而眼下正埋头苦读.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. He sharpened the edge of his knife on a grindstone.
他在磨石上磨快了他的刀刃.
来自辞典例句
5. The teacher believed in hard work and always kept our noses to the grindstone.
