as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
with a little polish and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to make the old silver teapot shine again
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Recent Examples of elbow grease
Restoring that familiar shine might take some elbow grease, but the results will be well worth the work.
—
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Countertops If turmeric spills on the countertop during cooking, the resulting stains can be removed with pantry staples and elbow grease.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
How To Clean The Inside Of A Glass Oven Door
Cleaning the inside of your oven glass is easy but may require some elbow grease.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025
In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line
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Why Trust Southern Living
Cleaning tile floors using a bucket, mop, and elbow grease may be character-building, but the results often leave much to be desired.
—Maria Conti, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Countertops If turmeric spills on the countertop during cooking, the resulting stains can be removed with pantry staples and elbow grease.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
How To Clean The Inside Of A Glass Oven Door
Cleaning the inside of your oven glass is easy but may require some elbow grease.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025
In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line
Our Testing Process
More To Consider
Tips for Choosing
Questions and Answers
Why Trust Southern Living
Cleaning tile floors using a bucket, mop, and elbow grease may be character-building, but the results often leave much to be desired.
—Maria Conti, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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