Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to put one's shoulder into

to put one's shoulder into

1 6.8
To work very hard and use a lot of energy
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : esforzarse
  • Put your shoulder into it.

Examples

  • Because when I really put my shoulder into this, this thing just goes flying across the room.

    Home of the Brave (2006)

  • What you do is, you put your shoulder into her, and you push.

    Tommy Boy (1995)

  • Put your shoulder into it.

    Best of the Best (1989)

  • On the other hand, I would definitely put my shoulder into Intro to Cinema.

    Bare Witness (2002)

  • Put your shoulder into it and whack it.

    Parenthood (1989)

  • He put his shoulders into it, and after a moment, the impeller broke loose.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Hector is swimming under you, upside down, telling you to use your back, your chest, and put your shoulders into it, but it is useless because these are the parts of you that are always, always off limits.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • To succeed in this project, we all need to put our shoulders into our work and give it our best effort.

  • If you really put your shoulder into lifting that heavy box, it will move more easily.

  • She always puts her shoulder into her studies, ensuring she understands every concept thoroughly.

Synonyms

to work at
vsto put one's shoulder into
489 2.3

To try hard to get better at or finish something over time

leans more toward energetic, determined push rather than gradual effort
to put into
vsto put one's shoulder into
272 2.9

To spend time, effort, or care on work

emphasizes determined energetic work rather than any type of investment
to shoulder
vsto put one's shoulder into
30 4.6

To accept a duty or responsibility and deal with it

is active determined energetic effort applied to doing the task
to put one's mind to it
vsto put one's shoulder into
14 3.5

To focus all your attention and effort on achieving something

stresses physical energetic effort and determination rather than only focus
to work one's ass off
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Offensive
13 8.4

Try very hard for a long time to do something

implies determined energetic work but can be less extreme physically
to take great pains
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Formal
6 5.2

Make a lot of effort and be careful about small details

is energetic hard work with emphasis on force rather than detail
to be at pains
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Formal
3 7.7

To try very hard to do something carefully

is more about energetic exertion than careful thoroughness
to put out
vsto put one's shoulder into
3 5.0

Make a lot of effort to do something

implies more sustained energetic commitment rather than a single effort
to put one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
2 7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

describes the same energetic effort but not only the start
to put one's heart in
vsto put one's shoulder into
1 4.5

To try very hard and feel strongly about something

is mainly about determined energetic work rather than emotional involvement
to set shoulder to the wheel
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
8.8

To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task

covers determined energetic effort more generally, not only beginning
to keep one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
7.7

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

focuses on strong energetic effort, not necessarily long persistence
to give it the gun
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
9.8

To try very hard and work quickly to finish something

is hard, energetic work but not always maximum speed or haste
to break one's back
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

describes determined energetic effort without requiring near exhaustion
to put a shift in
vsto put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
9.0

Work very hard for a short time to finish a task

is steady determined effort rather than a single concentrated period

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

to slack off
  • Informal
3 3.9

To become less strong or busy

How Hard

to go all out
39 4.1
to put one's shoulder into
  • Informal
1 6.8

Surface Forms

put one's shoulder into infinitive
put one's shoulder into past
put one's shoulder into past participle
putting one's shoulder into present participle
puts one's shoulder into third person singular

Morphology

put + one's + shoulder + into

The phrase evokes a clear physical image — literally putting one’s shoulder into something to push — so a learner who knows 'put', 'shoulder' and 'into' can plausibly infer a meaning of exerting force or effort. However, the shift from the concrete bodily action to the broader sense 'work hard/apply effort' is metaphorical and may not be fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Put one's shoulder into comes from the picture of a person leaning their shoulder against something heavy and pushing to move it. That's why it means 'to work hard' or 'put a lot of effort into' a task.