Don't let the bastards grind you down

Definitions

• To encourage someone to persevere and not give up despite facing challenges or opposition
  Used as a motivational phrase to remind someone to stay strong and not let negative people or circumstances bring them down

• To express resilience and determination in the face of adversity
  Can be used as a form of self-encouragement or as a way to show support and solidarity with someone going through a tough time

• To mock or belittle the negative influences or people who try to bring you down
  Can be used in a sarcastic or humorous way to dismiss the negativity and show that it will not affect you

Examples of Don't let the bastards grind you down

• Despite the rejections and setbacks, Sarah continued to submit her writing to publishers, determined not to let the bastards grind her down.

  This usage of the idiom means that Sarah is persevering in the face of repeated failures, refusing to let the rejections and negative feedback from publishers discourage her. By "bastards," Sarah may be implying that these publishers are being unnecessarily difficult or unfair, but the phrase could also be interpreted more generally as a way of discussing difficult or adversarial people or situations. The phrase "grind you down" speaks to the idea that these challenges can wear a person down over time, making it increasingly difficult to stay motivated or hopeful. By refusing to let these challenges grind her down, Sarah is showing resilience and optimism in the face of adversity.

• After weeks of dealing with difficult customers, the sales representative found herself feeling exhausted and disheartened. But she reminded herself not to let the bastards grind her down, and she continued working diligently to provide high-quality service to her clients.

  This usage emphasizes the idea that the phrase "bastards" here can be interpreted more generally as a way of referring to challenging or annoying situations. In this case, the sales representative is dealing with difficult customers, which is draining her energy and making her feel discouraged. By reminding herself not to let the bastards grind her down, she is encouraging herself to maintain a positive attitude and continue working hard, even in the face of challenging customers.

• In the midst of a highly contentious political campaign, the candidate refused to engage in personal attacks against his opponents, choosing instead to focus on his own message and not let the bastards grind him down.

  This usage speaks to the idea that the phrase "bastards" here could refer to difficult or adversarial opponents, as well as to negative or combative elements of political discourse more generally. By choosing not to engage in personal attacks against his opponents, the candidate is demonstrating a refusal to be sucked into negative or confrontational dynamics, instead prioritizing his own message and staying true to his own values.

• Despite being passed over for a promotion at work, Samantha remained focused on her own goals and refused to let the bastards grind her down.

  This usage emphasizes the idea that the phrase "bastards" here could refer to people in a position of authority who make decisions that are unfair or disproportionate. By refusing to let these challenges grind her down, Samantha is showing a commitment to her own goals and a refusal to be discouraged by obstacles in her path. She is demonstrating self-motivation and a strong sense of purpose, and by staying focused on her own progress, she is signaling her determination to succeed in the face of adversity.

• Despite the relentless criticism and hostile work environment, Jane refused to let the bastards grind her down. She continued to work hard and remain professional, determined to prove her worth.

  The phrase "Don't let the bastards grind you down" is often used to encourage persistence and resilience in the face of adversity. In this example, Jane's coworkers or superiors may have been critical or created a hostile work environment, but she refused to let their negativity dispirit her. She instead chose to persevere and prove her value, refusing to be "grinded down" by their negativity.

• John's dreams had been crushed by the harsh realities of the industry, but he vowed not to let the bastards grind him down. He started his own business, determined to succeed on his own terms.

  In this example, John's initial success in his industry had been dampened by the harsh realities of the industry. Instead of giving up or succumbing to defeatism, John chose to start his own business, determined to succeed on his own terms. This choice allowed him to move forward and not be "grinded down" by the negativity and failures of his previous work experience.

• The road to success was filled with obstacles, but Emma refused to let the bastards grind her down. She pushed through the challenges, determined to achieve her goals.

  This example highlights the idea that success is not always easy to achieve, and often requires perseverance and determination. Emma faced obstacles and challenges along the way, but she refused to let these setbacks deter her. Instead, she pushed through and remained determined to achieve her goals, refusing to be "grinded down" by the challenges she encountered.

• The naysayers tried to bring Sarah down, but she refused to let the bastards grind her down. She maintained her confidence and belief in herself, and eventually succeeded.

  This example shows that sometimes, negativity and criticism can come from unexpected sources, such as naysayers. However, by remaining confident and true to oneself, it is possible to overcome these obstacles and achieve success. Sarah refused to let her confidence or belief in herself be diminished by the negativity and criticism she encountered, and instead succeeded on her own terms.

Conclusion

The idiom "don't let the bastards grind you down" is a powerful phrase that is often used as a source of motivation and encouragement. It carries the message of not giving up and standing strong in the face of challenges and opposition. It can also be used as a way to mock and dismiss negativity, showing that it will not have an impact on the individual.

The phrase can be used in various situations, whether it be to uplift someone who is facing difficulties or as a form of self-encouragement. It can also be used as a way to show solidarity and support with someone who is going through a tough time.

Origin of "Don't let the bastards grind you down"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to Latin, where the phrase "illegitimi non carborundum" was used. This translates to "don't let the bastards grind you down" and has been used as a motto for various military units.

The phrase gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly during World War II, when it was used by soldiers to boost morale and encourage each other to persevere through difficult times. It has since become a common phrase in English, often used as a source of motivation and resilience.