slave away

USAGE SUMMARY

"slave away" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of working hard on a tedious or difficult task. For example, "I spent the entire weekend slaving away on my term paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Wood noted: "My dad used to slave away all week for that.

The Guardian - Music

The struggle to earn a place on that narrow pedestal encourages people to slave away for incomparably long hours.

The Economist

This status anxiety runs deepTo clamber up the pecking order, some people slave away nights and weekends at the office.

The Economist

These worker bees slave away collecting pollen and nectar, building the honeycomb, laying unfertilized eggs and tending to larvae.

Stanford University

Lately, Ms. Hearst said, she has noticed a sea change among her friends, even as they slave away at school.

The New York Times - Style

At the bottom of the economic pile, immigrants or welfare claimants seem to receive handouts or cheap housing, while the squeezed middle slave away.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I'm done slaving away.

The New Yorker

THE party machinery slaved away in state after state.

The New York Times

Some poor hubby or daddy is back home slaving away.

The New York Times - Style

Slaving away in a mine, Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) gets cross and bites a Roman on the ankle.

The Guardian - Film

It makes it seem like thirty years of slaving away might have been worth it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slave away" to vividly depict situations involving strenuous, often unappreciated work. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the relentless nature of the effort.

Common error

While "slave away" is a common idiom, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "work diligently" or "exert effort" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slave away" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. It describes the action of working very hard, often at something tedious or unpleasant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct expression used to describe such situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slave away" is a common idiom used to describe working very hard, often at a tedious or unrewarding task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic contexts, although its informality may make it less suitable for strictly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "work tirelessly" or "toil" for more professional settings. As a final point, consider that, despite being correct, the phrase carries some baggage. It should be used carefully because it can sound too informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work one's fingers to the bone

This alternative is an idiom that highlights the exhaustion from extreme labor.

work tirelessly

This alternative emphasizes the continuous nature of the hard work.

work like a dog

This alternative idiom signifies working very hard and tirelessly.

grind away

This alternative implies repetitive and often unpleasant hard work.

sweat blood

This alternative suggests working with intense effort and dedication, often under pressure.

put one's nose to the grindstone

This alternative idiom means applying oneself diligently to a task.

toil

This alternative is a single word that emphasizes laborious effort.

bust a gut

This alternative idiom implies extreme effort and energy expenditure.

labor

This alternative suggests physical and strenuous work.

exert oneself greatly

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the effort put into the work.

FAQs

How can I use "slave away" in a sentence?

You can use "slave away" to describe working very hard at something, often with little reward or recognition. For example, "She had to "slave away" at the restaurant to pay her bills".

What are some alternatives to "slave away"?

Alternatives to "slave away" include "work tirelessly", "toil", or "work one's fingers to the bone". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "slave away" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "slave away" might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "work diligently" or "exert effort".

What is the difference between "slave away" and "work hard"?

"Work hard" is a general term for putting effort into something. "Slave away" implies working extremely hard, often at a tedious or unpleasant task, and suggests a lack of recognition or reward for the effort.