1 grind
Pronounced:
/ˈgraɪnd/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
grinds; ground /ˈgraʊnd/ grind·ing Meaning:
1 [+ obj] a : to crush or break (something) into very small pieces by rubbing it against a rough surface or using a special machine ▪ Grind (up) the coffee beans into a fine powder. ▪ The corn is ground into meal. b : to cut (meat) into small pieces by putting it through a special machine ▪ Grind (up) the turkey meat. —usually used in U.S. English in the form ground to describe meat that has been cut into very small pieces ▪ a recipe made with ground turkey ▪ a pound of ground beef [=(US) hamburger, (Brit) mince]
2 : to make (something) sharp or smooth by rubbing it against a hard surface [+ obj] ▪ grind an ax [no obj] ▪ The steel grinds to a sharp edge. —see also ax to grind at 1ax
3 a [+ obj] : to cause (things) to rub against each other in a forceful way that produces a harsh noise ▪ She kept grinding the car's gears. ▪ He grinds his teeth in his sleep. b [no obj] : to make a harsh noise caused by rubbing ▪ I could hear the gears grinding.
4 [+ obj] : to rub or press (something) against a hard surface ▪ She ground (out) her cigarette on the pavement. ▪ Dirt was ground into the carpet.
2 : to make (something) sharp or smooth by rubbing it against a hard surface [+ obj] ▪ grind an ax [no obj] ▪ The steel grinds to a sharp edge. —see also ax to grind at 1ax
3 a [+ obj] : to cause (things) to rub against each other in a forceful way that produces a harsh noise ▪ She kept grinding the car's gears. ▪ He grinds his teeth in his sleep. b [no obj] : to make a harsh noise caused by rubbing ▪ I could hear the gears grinding.
4 [+ obj] : to rub or press (something) against a hard surface ▪ She ground (out) her cigarette on the pavement. ▪ Dirt was ground into the carpet.
grind along [phrasal verb]
1 : to continue in a slow and steady way ▪ The traffic ground along through the city streets. ▪ The economy continues to grind along.
2 grind along (something) : to continue moving down or along (something) in a slow and steady way ▪ The traffic was grinding along the streets.
2 grind along (something) : to continue moving down or along (something) in a slow and steady way ▪ The traffic was grinding along the streets.
grind away [phrasal verb]
1 : to work or study in a steady, determined way ▪ She was grinding away at her studies.
2 grind away (something) or grind (something) away : to remove (a part of something) by rubbing something rough against it ▪ He uses a special tool to grind away the stone.
2 grind away (something) or grind (something) away : to remove (a part of something) by rubbing something rough against it ▪ He uses a special tool to grind away the stone.
grind down [phrasal verb]
1 grind down (something) or grind (something) down : to make (something hard) smaller and smoother by gradually rubbing off tiny bits ▪ The old dog's teeth had been ground down by use.
2 grind down (someone or something) or grind (someone or something) down : to weaken or destroy (someone or something) gradually ▪ Poverty ground her spirit down. ▪ These people have been ground down by years of oppression.
2 grind down (someone or something) or grind (someone or something) down : to weaken or destroy (someone or something) gradually ▪ Poverty ground her spirit down. ▪ These people have been ground down by years of oppression.
grind on [phrasal verb]
: to continue for a long time —used to describe something unpleasant ▪ The war ground on for many more months.
grind out [phrasal verb]
grind out (something) or grind (something) out : to produce (something, especially something of low quality) quickly as part of a continuous process ▪ He grinds out [=churns out] a new novel every year.
grind to a halt or come to a grinding halt
of a machine : to stop working or moving forward ▪ The machinery slowly ground to a halt. —often used figuratively ▪ Without more money, work on the project will soon grind to a halt. [=stop] ▪ The project came to a grinding halt.