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Glite Dictionary
to set shoulder to the wheel

to set shoulder to the wheel

8.8
To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : ponerse a trabajar
  • When the team faced a tough challenge, everyone set shoulder to the wheel and worked overtime.

Examples

  • She set shoulder to the wheel after receiving her assignment, refusing to give up until it was done.

  • When the deadline approached, we all set shoulder to the wheel.

  • It's time to set shoulder to the wheel if we want to finish this project by Friday.

  • It's time to set shoulder to the wheel and finish this project!

  • It's time to set shoulder to the wheel and tackle this difficult project with all our effort.

  • After the meeting, the team decided to set shoulder to the wheel to meet the tight deadline.

  • She knew she had to set shoulder to the wheel if she wanted to succeed in her new job.

Synonyms

to buckle down
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
11 4.4

To start working hard and seriously after wasting time

emphasizes determined beginning at a hard task rather than after delay
to set to work
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
7 3.2

To begin working right away with energy

adds strong determination for a difficult task, not just quick action
to knuckle down
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
4 4.5

To start working hard after not doing much before

focuses on starting hard at a difficult task regardless of prior laziness
to put one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
2 7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

has identical meaning but uses a different phrase form
to work like a horse
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
1 3.6

To use a lot of energy to do a hard job for a long time

focuses on beginning hard with determination rather than sheer physical effort
to keep one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
7.7

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

begins working hard with strong determination rather than ongoing persistence
to work to the bone
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
6.0

To do very hard, long tasks until you are very tired

means to start working hard determinedly but not necessarily to exhaustion
to break one's back
vsto set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

describes starting hard with determination rather than causing physical harm

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Hard

to work to the bone
  • Informal
6.0
to set shoulder to the wheel
  • Informal
8.8
hard work
355 1.6
to try
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

set shoulder to the wheel infinitive
set shoulder to the wheel past
set shoulder to the wheel past participle
setting shoulder to the wheel present participle
sets shoulder to the wheel third person singular

Morphology

set + shoulder + to + the + wheel

The phrase literally evokes placing one’s shoulder against a wheel (from 'set' + 'shoulder' + 'wheel'), so a learner who knows the words can infer a sense of physical exertion. However, the conventionalized metaphor — mapping that physical pushing to 'begin working very hard and with determination' — is an idiomatic extension that is not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Set shoulder to the wheel may come from the image of a person pushing a heavy cart: they would put their shoulder against the wheel and push with all their strength to make it move. So, the phrase now means 'to begin working very hard and with determination'.