What does the expression nose to the grindstone mean?

Answer 1

This is a European millers' guild expression to remind the miller that he must maintain a flow a grain between the mill stones, which were traditionally set one above the other. Without any grain between them, the weight of the top stone would strike sparks on the bed stone, and the smell, know as "brimstone" was a warning, that if not heeded, would likely result in an explosion that would kill the miller. Thus, to keep your nose to the grindstone meant to pay close attention, not to work hard, but diligently, and had nothing to do with sharpening tools on the other type of grindstone.

Answer 2

"Nose to the grindstone" as in "He held my nose to the grindstone" or "Sarah's always got her nose to the grindstone" is in the same family of idioms generally using 'grindstone', 'grinder' or 'grind' as exhausting, tedious or generally difficult work.

It means getting down to hard work and focusing on getting a job done as well and as quickly as possible.

It means working hard, and often in a tedious manner. It is often used in an academic context to mean studying hard.

Theories of origin:

1. It originates from the days when ironmongers used to sharpen worn knives for customers- sometimes there'd be such a big load of knives to attend to that the ironmonger's assistant would be bent over his grinding wheel for long periods of time, and seem to have his 'nose to the grindstone'.

2. This phrase originated from medieval millers. When the heavy millstones used to grind wheat were out of balance, they would bang together and create a noise. This damaged the furrows in the stones, and sharpening them was a huge job, one to be avoided. Since the millstones were covered, the millers had to be within hearing range to hear this noise before damage was done to the stones. If the miller kept his nose in the direction of the stones, it meant his ears were also in that direction and could detect early problems with the stones.

Answer 3

I would guess from a mill (where they used to make bread) by grinding it down with a 'grinding stone' - which mills had...

Answer 4

To "keep your nose to the grindstone" is a saying that means that you should get on with your work.

Answer 5

You have to pay attention and concentrate on your job. If you use a grindstone and turn away from it, you can easily ruin what you are working on.