Develop your ability to overcome challenges by learning English idioms related to perseverance and determination.
9 topics147 words
Determination & Hard Work22 words
to [give] a good account of {oneself}phraseto perform, behave, or do something extremely well, particularly in a competitive situation
to [keep|put] {one's} nose to the grindstonephraseto continuously put a lot of effort into doing something
to [play] for keepsphraseto do something in a very serious and determined manner without showing mercy
to [have] nothing to losephraseto be in such a bad situation that it does not matter if one fails at something, because one's situation cannot get worse
to [put|keep|set|have] {one's} [shoulder] to the wheelphraseto start something in a very energetic and determined manner
to [run] on fumesphraseto continue functioning despite being extremely tired
to [set] {one's} heart on {sth}phraseto have a strong desire to achieve or do something
to [stop] at nothingphraseto do whatever one can in order to achieve what one desires
to [hang] (on|) in therephraseto continue trying to succeed regardless of difficulties or challenges
to [get] on top of {sth}phraseto be able to handle and manage a situation or thing successfully
to [give] {one's} (right arm|eyetooth)phraseto stop at nothing to obtain or do something
if it is the last thing {sb} [do]sentenceused to show how extremely determined someone is to do something
once and for allphrasein a way that finalizes and completes the matter at hand
stiff upper lipnounthe ability to hide one's emotions and seem calm in unpleasant or difficult situations
there [is] no (stopping|holding) {sb}sentenceused to say that preventing someone from doing something is not possible because of their determination
to [break] the back of {sth}phraseto manage to finish the most important or most difficult part of something, particularly a task
like a dog with a bonephraseused to refer to someone who has made their decision and is not about to let anyone or anything stop them
to [eat] (the|that) frogphraseto encourage someone to start doing the most difficult or unpleasant task, rather than avoiding or postponing it
to [break] {one's} backphraseto work as hard as one can to achieve a particular result
to [put] {one's} heart (and soul|) into {sth}phraseto devote much time and effort with optimism to accomplish a goal
to [tie] up loose endsphraseto finish something that is left unfinished
to [step] on the gasphraseto make an attempt to do something better or faster than others
Persistence20 words
(to|until) the bitter endphraseup to the point where something faces its inevitable failure or fails to achieve any degree of success
to [get|take] the bit between {one's} teethphraseto begin doing or taking part in something with enthusiasm and determination
to [go] down (swinging|fighting)phraseto keep on trying despite the high chance of failure
to [grit] {one's} teethphraseto face one's challenges or problems with absolute courage and determination
to [keep] {one's} [head] above waterphraseto manage to stay strong and determined, despite the likelihood of failure
to [keep] {one's} chin upphraseto manage to keep one's spirit and stay hopeful in the face of challenges and hardships
to [live] to (fight|see) another dayphraseto survive a tough situation or disastrous experience and get the chance to try again
to [push] itphraseto persist on achieving a particular result by taking risks, particularly when one should stop
to [put] up a fightphraseto try one's best to stay strong and determined in the face of danger or extremely low odds of success
to [stand|hold] {one's} groundphraseto keep defending one's plans or opinions despite facing opposition
by hook or by crookphraseby any means that is necessary
come hell or high watersentenceno matter how many obstacles one might face or how hard achieving something gets
come what maysentenceno matter what happens or how difficult thigs turn out to be
in the teeth of {sth}phraseno matter how many problems one might face or how hard achieving something gets
(last|final) resortnounan option or solution that is only chosen when every other alternative has failed
the courage of {one's} (own|) convictionsphraseone's bravery and determination to do what they believe is the right thing, regardless of what other people may think
dead setphrasefirmly determined and focused on the task at hand
to [keep] it upphraseto maintain a good performance and continue persevering in one's efforts
to [mean] businessphraseto be very serious about fulfilling one's intentions
come rain or come shinesentenceno matter what happens
Doing One's Best25 words
to [go] the extra milephraseto try harder than what is expected
to [go] to any [length]phraseto put an extreme or great amount of effort into achieving or doing something
to [go] to the ends of the earthphraseto do whatever it takes to do or achieve something, even if it is not easy
to [leave] no stone unturnedphraseto do everything one can in order to achieve a goal, particularly when it involves finding or looking for something
to [move] heaven and earthphraseto try extremely hard and do everything that one is capable of in order to succeed in something
to [pull] out all the stopsphraseto try very hard and do everything that is possible to succeed in something
to [punch] above {one's} weightphraseto be romantically involved with someone who is considered more socially desirable than oneself
(at|) full stretchphraseusing all of the available resources, energy, etc.
to [bend|lean] over backwardphraseto put in an extreme or great amount of effort to do something
to [bust] {one's} [ass|butt|hump]phraseto try really hard to accomplish something
to [do] {one's} bestphraseto try to do something as well as one is capable of
to [do|try] {one's} utmostphraseto make effort in order to do something in the best way possible
to [give] {sth} {one's} allphraseto put in as much effort as possible into something one is doing
to [go] all outphraseto use all of one's energy, resources, determination, or strength to do something
to [go] out of {one's} wayphraseto put in more effort than what is expected or required of one in order to do or achieve something
to [put] {one's} best foot forwardphraseto put as much effort as possible into doing something, particularly something difficult
{not} for (the|) want of tryingphraseused to state that even if someone failed to succeed, they tried their best
to [give] {sb/sth} {one's} best shotphraseto make effort to do something in the best possible way
to [go] to the wallphraseto suffer ruin, failure, or defeat, due to financial difficulties, and without the possibility of recovery or rescue
the best betphrasethe best or most possible thing or action that can help one achieve success in something
to [bust] a gutphraseto try one's best to do or achieve something
punch above one's weightphraseto succeed or try to succeed in doing something that often demands more power, ability, money, etc. than one has
put one's best foot forwardphraseto put as much effort as possible into doing something, particularly something difficult
go to the wallphraseto do everything that one is capable of in order to do or achieve something
bust a gutphraseto try one's best to do or achieve something
Making Great Efforts16 words
to [break] {one's} (stones|balls)phraseto persistently and relentlessly bother, tease, or annoy someone, often in a playful or mocking manner
to [burn] the midnight oilphraseto do something until the very late hours of the night
to [fall] over backwardphraseto put in an extraordinary amount of effort to accomplish something, often with the intention of pleasing someone
to [give] {one's} eye teethphraseto be very determined and do whatever it takes to achieve a goal
to [go] to townphraseto complete a task or activity with thoroughness, efficiency, and speed, often suggesting a focused and diligent approach
to [make] a point ofphraseto deliberately do something, giving special attention or emphasis to it
to [move] mountainsphraseto accomplish something challenging or seemingly impossible through extraordinary effort and determination
a hundred and ten percentphrasean intense amount of effort made toward achieving something one desires
to bend {one's} (mind|thoughts|efforts) to {do sth}phraseto put a great amount of effort or thought into something particular
blood, sweat, and tearsphrasean extreme amount of effort, dedication, and hard work
elbow greasenouna great amount of physical effort or work that is put into something
to [break] {one's} neckphraseto put in a great deal of effort to accomplish something
to [push] the envelopephraseto go beyond established limits or norms, often in a creative or daring way
to [break] the back of the beastphraseto manage to do something that is extremely difficult or challenging
break one's stonesphraseto put in an extreme amount of effort into doing something
go to townphraseto complete a task or activity with thoroughness, efficiency, and speed, often suggesting a focused and diligent approach
Trying Hard10 words
like a dogphrasein a manner that requires a lot of effort
to [go to|take] (great|) pains {to do sth}phraseto put a lot of care and effort into doing something
to [pound] the pavementphraseto actively and tirelessly search for employment or other opportunities
to [work] {one's} fingers to the bonephraseto work excessively or to the point of exhaustion
to [hit] the booksphraseto study in a determined and serious manner
to [put] salt on the tail of {sb/sth}phraseto make an attempt to capture someone or achieve something
to {not} [do] (things|anything) by halvesphraseto put a lot of effort into things and do them thoroughly
back-room boynounsomeone who is highly productive or beneficial to an organization, but is unknown or unnoticed by the public
to [explore] all avenuesphraseto consider all possible options or approaches in order to find a solution or achieve a goal
to [rise] to the (occasion|challenge)phraseto demonstrate one's ability in surpassing obstacles and dealing with difficult situations
Giving Something a Try17 words
to [chance] {one's} [arm]phraseto proceed to do something even though it is risky or unlikely to succeed
to [find] {one's} feetphraseto gain the confidence, familiarity, and skills needed to perform well in a situation that is new to one
to [get] {one's} feet wetphraseto do something that one has not done before in order to become more experienced or familiar with it
to [give] {sth} a shotphraseto attempt to do something, particularly something that one has not tried to do before
to [give] {sth} a whirlphraseto attempt to do something that one has little to no experience in
to [give] {sth} a tryphraseto try something to find out if it is effective, possible, good, etc.
to [have] a bashphraseto try one's chance at something, particularly when success is not guaranteed
to [have] a gophraseto make an attempt to achieve or do something
to [have] a shot at {sth}phraseto try to do something in a successful way
to [try] {one's} hand at {sth}phraseto attempt to do something that one has no experience in
to [have] a stab at {sth}phraseto make an attempt to do something with no guaranteed chance of success
to [spread] {one's} wingsphraseto gain independence, confidence, and the willingness to try new things or take risks
trial balloonnouna thing that is done or introduced in order to test the public's opinion
to [give] {sth} a twirlphraseto try something out or experiment with it with an open mind
to [take] a shot at {sth}phraseto try something new, often with the hope of success or improvement
have a gophraseto make an attempt to achieve or do something
go forverbto pursue or try to achieve something
Getting Started19 words
to [grasp] the nettlephraseto take a direct and determined approach to a difficult or unpleasant task
to [be] good to gophrase(of a person) to be physically or mentally ready to get something done
to [clear] the decksphraseto get ready for action by removing physical and mental obstacles
to [get] (the|this) show on the roadphraseto start doing something in the way that was planned
to [learn] {one's} lessonphraseto gain knowledge after experiencing something painful or disastrous
to [make] {one's} movephrasedoing something that someone has planned to, often when they find the right time
to [pull|get] {one's} finger outphraseto start working hard instead of hesitating and wondering around
to [put] {sth} down to experiencephraseto learn from a failure, mistake, or unpleasant situation instead of feeling bad about it
to [roll] up {one's} sleevesphraseto get ready to do hard work or tackle a serious challenge
to [take] the plungephraseto become someone's wife or husband during a special ceremony
to [walk] before {sb} [run]phraseto start with small steps before tackling difficult tasks or challenges
from scratchphrasefrom the point at which something began
to [make] up for lost timephraseto enjoy an experience as much as one can, due to the lack of previous opportunity
on your [mark]phrasea command given to the participants of a competition, particularly a race, to ready themselves
in the pipelinephraseat the planning, preparing, or developing stage
to [get] on the stickphraseto properly begin doing something that one was neglecting
to [get|set|start] the ball rollingphraseto start to do an activity, often in a way that is encouraging to others
to [get|come] to grips with {sth}phraseto start dealing with, understanding, or accepting something that is difficult
take the plungephraseto devote one's time and energy to doing or finishing something one was nervous about
Lack of Effort12 words
to [fall|drop] by the waysidephraseto fail to keep on doing something
to [give] {sth} a missphraseto decide against doing something
to [give] up the ghostphraseto put an stop to an activity one knows has very little or no chance of achieving success
to [lift|raise] a fingerphraseto make a minimal effort to do something, particularly in order to help someone
to [pull] {one's} socks upphraseto try one's best to improve something that is not good or satisfactory enough
to [run] out of steamphraseto lose one's enthusiasm or motivation, making one incapable of finishing a job or task
to [take] a back seatphraseto accept a less important, less visible, or secondary role compared to someone else
on a (silver|) platterphraseachieved or delivered to one easily or without making any effort
to throw {one's} hand inphraseto give up doing something or stop being a part of something, particularly due to seeing no way of success
to [fiddle] while Rome [burn]phraseto neglect important issues and handle less important ones instead
fall by the waysidephraseto fail to keep on doing something
give up the ghostphraseto put an stop to an activity one knows has very little or no chance of achieving success
Process & Completion6 words
to [go] (the|) whole hogphraseto do a task in the most complete way
done and dustedphrase(of a task, event, situation, etc.) completely finished or taken care of
signed and sealedphrasehaving been formally authenticated by using signatures and official seals or stamps
(from|) soup to nutsphrasefrom beginning to end, including all the steps or components of a process or event
the home stretchphrasethe part of a race, competition, etc. that is considered its last
in handphraseused to refer to something one is dealing with
Learn all 147 words in this list with spaced repetition