have one's nose to grindstone

cope seek strive tackle toil try

assay attempt dig endeavor grind hassle hustle offer plug scratch slave strain sweat undertake

bend over backwards break one's back break one's neck exert oneself give it one's best shot give the old college try go all out make every effort plug away take a crack take a stab take on try one's hardest work like a dog

forget idle neglect

be lazy ignore laze procrastinate withhold

rest surrender yield