elbow grease
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When we made it back home after being gone for two weeks, I had to put elbow grease into scrubbing the caked-on dog drool off the side of the car.
From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026
The most important thing is to keep your money working for you as hard as it possibly can — and for that, you need to apply some elbow grease to keep it moving.
From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026
A good fit for: Cooks who want a chemical-free pan that lasts—and don’t mind putting in a little elbow grease.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025
In ‘99% Perspiration,’ data and stories illustrate the roots and consequences of a very American dilemma: the belief that old-fashioned elbow grease will get you anywhere you want to go.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2025
“I will have to throw some money and elbow grease at it first, though.”
From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
