grind away

Related to grind away: grind down

grind away

1. To remove by grinding or pulverizing. You need to grind away these imperfections.
2. To frequently nag or disparage someone. Will you quit grinding away? I'm doing the best I can!
3. To work hard on something; to dedicate oneself to some effort or task. I've been grinding away all morning, but I still can't figure out where that discrepancy came from.
See also: away, grind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

grind something away

to remove something by grinding. Grind the bumps away and make the wall smooth. Please grind away the bumps.
See also: away, grind

grind away (at something)

to crush something into particles continually. The machine ground away at the rocks, making tons of gravel. It ground away, making a terrible noise in the process.
See also: away, grind

grind away

(at someone) Fig. to needle, criticize, and nag someone continually. Why are you always grinding away at me? Leave me alone. Stop grinding away!
See also: away, grind
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

grind away

v.
1. To remove something by grinding: You need to grind the spurs away with a file. The optician ground away the glass from the lens.
2. To devote oneself to study or work: She ground away at the problem. We told him to get some sleep before the exam, but he kept grinding away.
See also: away, grind
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • are we away
  • Are we away?
  • draw away
  • draw away from (someone or something)
  • bang (away) at
  • bang at
  • cringe
  • cringe away from
  • cringe away from (someone or something)
  • away
References in periodicals archive
If you don't grind away the same amount of metal from both sides, the blade can become unbalanced.
Sharpen your lawn mower blade
"They used acid and tried to grind away the names etched on the plaques so as they wouldn't be identifiable as memorials."
Walk to raise money for damaged plaques
He may not be a Kevin Pietersen, thank goodness, or a Freddie Flintoff, but he can captain a side, win matches from dire situations, play aggressively, or grind away as necessary.
Sporting hero we should be proud of; VOICE OF THE NORETH
Ebdon was at his determined best when getting the better of young gun Jamie Cope on Sunday and he will once again look to grind away against King, who has never been further than the second round at the Crucible.
Snooker: Tactical battle to limit scores; SPREADWISE
THE SAND AND GRAVEL GRIND AWAY AT THE LIFTING BELT, CUTTING AND TEARING IT.
M1-series tanks ... Give mine blade belts a lift
One in 10 end up working in administrative or secretarial jobs and much the same proportion grind away in sales or customer services.
Stotty on Sunday: DUMB & DUMBER
Be careful; it's easy to grind away the whole screwhead, and then you do have problems.
Stripped screws
"There's no need to grind away metal we'll end up machining, unless it's a safety issue.
What these casting purchasers want from you!
You play all the year on your own grinding away and it's just nice to grind away with someone else for a change.
Welsh duo Donaldson and Davies will need to pick up world pace
He'll look to grind away and stay around the treble-20 bed and I know that if I give him chances he'll take them out.
Darts: I'm feeling pumped-up to defend my unbeaten run; PREMIER LEAGUE FINALS NIGHT Phil Taylor is not ruling out the possibility of facing Terry Jenkins
We had a few big players missing today and a bit of a disjointed side out and we just had to grind away.
Lawrence suffers from the curse
Anda relieved Pardew said: 'It wasa vital win for us.We had a few big players missing today anda bit of a disjointed side out and we just had to grind away.
Carl goal will do for Pardew
You don't want the latch slopping around inside a huge opening, so don't grind away half the strike plate.
Fix a door that doesn't latch. (You can fix it: a drippy shower * a door that doesn't latch)