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grind away

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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

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 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

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