effort

Idioms (46)

• have a stab at Informal · CEFR B2
  to make an attempt at doing something, often something you're unsure about
• have a crack at Informal · CEFR B2
  to make an attempt at doing something
• have a go Informal · CEFR B1
  to make an attempt at doing something
• go the extra mile Neutral · CEFR B1
  To make more effort than is expected or required.
• the whole nine yards Informal · CEFR C1
  Everything possible; the full extent.
• bend over backwards Informal · CEFR B2
  To try extremely hard to help or please someone.
• rack your brains Informal · CEFR B2
  To think very hard in an effort to remember or solve something.
• give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1
  to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory
• uphill battle Neutral · CEFR B2
  a struggle that requires enormous effort against strong opposition
• pull an all-nighter Informal · CEFR B2
  to stay up and work through the entire night
• pay your dues Neutral · CEFR C1
  to endure hard, unglamorous work early on as the price of later success
• keep your nose to the grindstone Informal · CEFR C1
  to work hard and steadily without distraction
• leave no stone unturned Neutral · CEFR B2
  to try every possible way to achieve or find something
• pull out all the stops Informal · CEFR C1
  to make the maximum possible effort, holding nothing back
• back to square one Neutral · CEFR B2
  to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed
• half the battle Neutral · CEFR B2
  the most important part of achieving something
• go through the motions Neutral · CEFR B2
  to perform the required actions without real interest, effort, or belief
• rise to the occasion Neutral · CEFR B2
  to respond successfully when a difficult situation demands unusual effort or skill
• with a vengeance Neutral · CEFR B2
  with unexpectedly great force, energy, or intensity
• rough and ready Neutral · CEFR C1
  basic and unpolished but practical enough to do the job
• on the trot Neutral · CEFR C1
  continually busy or active, with no real break
• fall by the wayside Neutral · CEFR B2
  be abandoned, neglected, or fail before completion
• dig deep Neutral · CEFR B2
  draw on all one's effort or inner resources to overcome a challenge
• mean business Neutral · CEFR B2
  to show serious determination to accomplish a goal
• body blow Neutral · CEFR B2
  a major setback that seriously weakens a person, organization, or effort
• run the gauntlet Neutral · CEFR C1
  to endure a succession of ordeals, attacks, or severe criticism
• kick the habit Informal · CEFR B2
  to stop a persistent behavior, especially an addictive one
• make a go of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to turn an undertaking into a lasting success
• fight tooth and nail Neutral · CEFR B2
  To struggle with fierce determination, using every available effort to succeed.
• fast and furious Neutral · CEFR B2
  Happening with exceptional speed, energy, and intensity.
• full tilt Informal · CEFR B2
  At the greatest possible speed or level of effort.
• go the whole hog Neutral · CEFR C1
  To commit fully to doing something, without holding anything back.
• make a meal of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to devote far too much effort to a task and make it seem needlessly complicated
• square the circle Neutral · CEFR C1
  to try to resolve a problem widely regarded as extremely difficult or impossible
• lift a finger Neutral · CEFR B2
  to make even the smallest effort to help, most often used in a negative statement
• make short work of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to finish a task or overcome an opponent with surprising speed and ease
• clear the decks Neutral · CEFR B2
  to remove distractions or unfinished tasks so you are ready for action
• move heaven and earth Neutral · CEFR B2
  to spare no effort, even extraordinary effort, in pursuing a goal
• all in a day's work Neutral · CEFR B2
  a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties
• donkey work Neutral · CEFR B2
  the tiring, repetitive, and often unappreciated work that supports a larger task
• break the back of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to get past the main obstacle so that the remaining work becomes easier
• by hook or by crook Neutral · CEFR C1
  by whatever method is necessary, whether fair or unfair
• stop at nothing Neutral · CEFR B2
  to pursue a goal without accepting any moral or practical limit
• go for broke Neutral · CEFR B2
  to stake everything on one final effort to win or succeed
• make light work of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to handle a demanding task quickly and effortlessly
• fill someone's shoes Neutral · CEFR B2
  to replace someone in a role and meet the demands they handled