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.

It says that the government’s proper role is to clear a path so those who put in the elbow grease can earn success.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Once the sauce has considerably thickened up a bit and it takes some more elbow grease to run your whisk through it, add salt and another squeeze of lemon juice and taste.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 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

Removing a popcorn ceiling can be messy and tedious, but with proper planning, safety precautions and some elbow grease, you can transform an outdated texture and reveal a clean, smooth surface.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2024

International economists often describe South Korea as the single most impressive example of what free markets, democratic government, and elbow grease can do to transform a small agrarian backwater into a global powerhouse.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden