work my ass off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work my ass off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to emphasize the idea that one is working hard. For example, "I worked my ass off to make sure this project was done on time".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

She says: "My mother says I'm arsy [lucky], but I'm not – I just work my ass off".

The Guardian

And to work my ass off again to get the chance for that red shirt".

BBC

I had to work my ass off to get it right and that was possible only because I had first articulated said target (as I write this, the book is #1 in Blogs/Blogging, #2 in Media & Communications and #2 in the Public Relations category on Amazon, 5 years after its release).

TechCrunch

I work my ass off in the hot sun everyday.

Huffington Post

I work my ass off and try to stay relevant and current.

Huffington Post

I'll work my ass off, get that internship, get that cool job in a big city somewhere.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"He worked my ass off," she grins.

The Guardian - Film

"I worked my ass off to raise my kids.

The New Yorker

"I worked my ass off for that money.

Independent

"I'm like, all right, I've worked my ass off and made some coin.

The New Yorker

So I wore a suit every day, and I worked my ass off for those guys".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work my ass off" to emphatically convey the extent of your effort. However, be mindful of your audience and the context, as the phrase can be considered vulgar or inappropriate in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "work my ass off" in professional emails, academic papers, or presentations. Opt for alternatives like "put in significant effort" or "worked diligently" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work my ass off" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the intensity and dedication of one's effort. It indicates a strong commitment to achieving a particular goal, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work my ass off" is a grammatically sound and very common idiom used to express extreme effort and dedication. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's crucial to remember its informal nature. The primary context for its use is News & Media. Alternative phrases like "work my tail off" or "put in a lot of effort" may be more suitable for formal settings. When choosing to use it, always consider your audience and the situation to ensure appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work my tail off

Replaces "ass" with "tail", a less vulgar synonym referring to the posterior.

work my butt off

Substitutes "ass" with "butt", a more polite and common alternative.

work my arse off

Uses the British English equivalent "arse" instead of "ass".

slave away

Implies working tirelessly and laboriously, often with a sense of drudgery.

bust my hump

An idiom suggesting hard work and effort, especially in a physical sense.

go the extra mile

Means to put in more effort than is expected or required.

give it my all

Emphasizes putting in maximum effort and dedication.

work like a dog

Highlights the intense and relentless nature of the work.

put in a lot of effort

A more formal way of expressing hard work and dedication.

exert myself greatly

A formal expression suggesting significant physical or mental effort.

FAQs

What does it mean to say I "work my ass off"?

Saying you "work my ass off" means you are putting in a significant amount of effort and working very hard to achieve something.

Is "work my ass off" appropriate in all situations?

No, the phrase "work my ass off" is considered informal and can be seen as vulgar. It's best to avoid using it in professional or formal settings.

What can I say instead of "work my ass off" in a formal setting?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "put in a lot of effort", "worked diligently", or "exert myself greatly".

How is "work my ass off" different from "work hard"?

"Work my ass off" is a more emphatic and informal way of saying "work hard". It suggests a greater level of effort and dedication compared to simply "work hard".