put your shoulder to the wheel

put (one's) shoulder to the wheel

To make a sustained, concentrated, and vigorous effort; to work very hard and diligently. After I was nearly expelled in my first year of college, I decided to stop fooling around, put my shoulder to the wheel, and get as much out of my degree as I could. I know that the new deadline is tight, but if everyone puts their shoulders to the wheel, I know we can get it done in time!
See also: put, shoulder, wheel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put your shoulder to the wheel

If you put your shoulder to the wheel, you put a great deal of effort into a difficult task. He vowed to put his shoulder to the wheel to drive the peace process forward. Everyone just put their shoulder to the wheel and got on with it. Note: In the days when people travelled in carriages or carts on roads that often got very muddy, people would help free vehicles that were stuck by leaning against a wheel and pushing.
See also: put, shoulder, wheel
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

put your shoulder to the wheel

set to work vigorously.
The image here is of pushing with your shoulder against the wheel of a cart or other vehicle that has become stuck.
See also: put, shoulder, wheel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put your shoulder to the ˈwheel

start working very hard at a particular task: We’re really going to have to put our shoulders to the wheel if we want to get this ready on time. OPPOSITE: take it/things easy
See also: put, shoulder, wheel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • put (one's) shoulder to the wheel
  • put one's shoulder to the wheel
  • put shoulder to the wheel
  • set (one's) shoulder to the wheel
  • have (one's) shoulder to the wheel
  • have shoulder to the wheel
  • keep (one's) shoulder to the wheel
  • labor for
  • labor for (someone or something)
  • hard at
References in periodicals archive
Everybody just wants to start but if you don't you have to put your shoulder to the wheel for Kerry."
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The Prime Minister asked bank officers to "put your shoulder to the wheel and try your level best to ensure that no one is left without a bank account.
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The influence of Saturn tells you life as you know it is going to take off into orbit, so you'll need to put your shoulder to the wheel. Your star is about to rise higher and higher.
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Don't waste time blaming others; just put your shoulder to the wheel.
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It's a macho trait: put your shoulder to the wheel. I'm putting my faggoty shoulder to the wheel because America needs that."
Lisa Meyer: interviewing Allen Ginsberg
When the going gets tough, you put your shoulder to the wheel and make things happen.
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