work (one's) socks off

To work really hard (on or at something). I know you thought it was just a silly New Year's resolution, but I've been working my socks off at the gym! Sally and Jim work their socks off when we hold our consumer conference each year. I don't know what I'd do without them!

If you work your socks off, you work extremely hard. They worked their socks off to make the business succeed. Note: You can use this expression with many other verbs, especially verbs related to performing such as dance, act and play. In each case, it means `a lot' or `very well'. I danced my socks off last night. Capper is currently playing his socks off for Sheffield Wednesday.