english
                    
                    
                    
                        1
                           general:: 
                           Phrase(s): use some elbow grease  Fig. use some effort, as in scrubbing something. (As if lubricating one’s elbow would make one more efficient. Note the variations in the examples.)  •  Come on, Bill. You can do it. Just use some elbow grease.  •  I tried elbow grease, but it doesn’t help get the job done.
                           
                           
                           
                           
                        
    
                       
                    
                        
                        
                        
                    
 
                    
                        McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs