The grindstone stands for work.
"nose to the grindstone"
I suppose it could mean "keep your head down, " but it's more likely that it's a misrepresentation of one of the following idioms: "Keep your nose to the grindstone" means to work in earnest; hard and steadily. "Keep your ear to the ground" means to listen carefully, intently; stay informed. "Keep your nose clean" means to stay out of trouble. "Keep your feet on the ground" means to have a realistic understanding of your own ideas, actions, and decisions.
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.
the mob demanded that charles darnay be released
compared
The saying "keep your nose to the grindstone and your shoulder to the wheel" originated from an old proverb, promoting hard work and diligence. It emphasizes focusing on one's tasks (nose to the grindstone) and putting in physical effort (shoulder to the wheel) to achieve success.
"Nose to the grindstone" means taking your responsibilities seriously; also working hard.
The most common phrase is "nose to the grindstone," as in "He really has his nose to the grindstone this week."
Know which side your bread is buttered on. Keep your nose to the grindstone. Knock it out of the park. Keep it simple stupid. Keep your chin up.
Know which side your bread is buttered on. Keep your nose to the grindstone. Knock it out of the park. Keep it simple stupid. Keep your chin up.
the grindstone is near windpeak inn to the right at the fenced in area where they keep the chickens. The grindstone should be near a table.
Know which side your bread is buttered on. Keep your nose to the grindstone. Knock it out of the park. Keep it simple stupid. Keep your chin up.
It's "nose to the grindstone," forget the "close to" part.
You could tell someone "Keep your nose to the grindstone." You could tell them the KISS principle saying "Keep it simple stupid."
To better use the grindstone you need better smithing skills.
La La's Full Court Life - 2011 Nose to the Grindstone 4-8 was released on: USA: September 2013
To work very hard, to knuckle down to something,