“By the sweat of one’s brow” is an idiom that is commonly used in the English language. This phrase has its roots in biblical scripture and is used to describe the act of working hard to achieve something. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and associations of this phrase.
Definitions
The phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” is an idiom that means to work hard in order to achieve something. This phrase is often used to describe the effort and hard work that goes into achieving success.
Origin
The phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” has its origins in the Bible. In the book of Genesis, God tells Adam that he will have to work hard and earn his living by the sweat of his brow after he was expelled from the Garden of Eden.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” means to work hard and earn a living through one’s own efforts. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the phrase as “by one’s own effort or exertion.”
Associations
The phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” is often associated with hard work, determination, and perseverance. It is also associated with the idea of earning one’s living through one’s own efforts rather than relying on others.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of the phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” include working hard, toiling, laboring, and exerting oneself.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of the phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” include laziness, idleness, and slothfulness.
The same root words
The phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” contains the root words “sweat” and “brow.” These words are often used separately to describe hard work and effort.
Example Sentences
- He earned his success by the sweat of his brow.
- She worked hard by the sweat of her brow to achieve her goals.
- The farmers toiled by the sweat of their brow to harvest the crops.
The phrase “by the sweat of one’s brow” is a powerful idiom that describes the effort and hard work that goes into achieving success. It has its roots in biblical scripture and is often associated with determination, perseverance, and earning one’s living through one’s own efforts.