to ply
9
6.9
- verb
- /plaɪ/
- He spent years plying his trade as a carpenter, crafting furniture for local families.
- ply one's trade
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Watch on YouTubeReal discipline is plying it against the things that you're most resistant to.
- Real discipline is plying it against the things that you're most resistant to.
- And when we return ply what we've learned to create a better classroom experience for all.
- Once we see The thing is, once we understand those principles of intelligence, we can choose how we ply them.
Examples
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Midwives had infiltrated cities with large foreign-born populations and "quietly plied their trade, commonly unrestricted, unsupervised, and unmolested."
Academic text (2016) -
James is a journalism graduate currently plying his trade in the social work field.
Blog text (8) -
Most of the time, I ply my trade up in the sky.
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One would look at them and see only two business associates here to ply their trade.
Fiction book (1996) -
Look at this lady plying her trade.
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Spent the last few years plying my trade overseas.
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Still, proponents of scientism in international relations continue to ply their trade.
Academic text (1990) -
Stereographers plied their trade in most major cities and many small towns and villages.
Academic text (1999) -
On the shop verandas, tailors ply their trade, finished garments hung beside them as if advertising their skill.
Academic text (1991) -
Itinerant Manjaco weavers plied their trade to Wolof clients in Dakar.
Academic text (2000)
Synonyms
60
3.7
To work hard for a long time at a dull or repeated task
6
5.2
To work slowly and steadily on a difficult task
5
6.7
To work hard for a long time on a task that is difficult or tiring
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A tire with diagonal cloth layers that make the tread flexible and the sides stiff
- Specialized
A tire for cars with strong layers running across it to give a smoother, longer lasting ride
- Specialized
A tire with layers running across it at right angles, giving longer tread life and flexible sides
How Diligent
156
3.7
∞
1.0
9
6.9
- US
697
1.0
- Specialized
423
1.0
45
4.8
Surface Forms
Etymology
To ply a trade comes from an old idea like 'apply' or 'use' your skill again and again, so to ply a craft is to work steadily and practice your skill over and over.