Phrase guide

work one's fingers to the bone

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To work especially hard, usually for an extended period.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: toil

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tehdä töitä niska limassa — Translations
  • Finnish: rehkiä niska limassa — Translations
  • Finnish: raataa niska limassa — Translations
  • French: travailler comme un forcené — Translations
  • French: travailler comme un forçat — Translations
  • French: travailler comme un nègre — Translations
  • Italian: lavorare fino alla stremo — Translations
  • Italian: rompersi la schiena — Translations
  • Italian: ammazzarsi di lavoro — Translations
  • Polish: harować jak wół — Translations
  • Swedish: slita häcken av sig — Translations