PhrasesHub

Put your shoulder to the wheel

    Definitions

      • encourage hard work and effort
        Encourage someone to work hard and put in a lot of effort to achieve a goal or complete a task

      • contribute to a group effort
        Encourage someone to actively participate and contribute to a collective effort or project

    Examples of Put your shoulder to the wheel

    • The company needs to put its shoulder to the wheel to meet the tight deadline for the new project.

      This idiom means that the company needs to put in a significant amount of effort and work to meet the deadline for the new project, just as if a group of people are pushing a heavy wheel to move it.

    • I realized that I need to put my shoulder to the wheel in my personal life as well, besides my professional duties.

      This idiom suggests that the speaker needs to focus more on their personal life and put in effort, just as they would push a heavy wheel, in order to make progress and achieve their goals outside of their job.

    • The team was not meeting its goals, and it was time for us to put our shoulders to the wheel and come up with a winning strategy.

      This idiom implies that the team was not making enough progress towards its objectives, so it was necessary for everyone involved to work hard and contribute to finding a successful solution, much like people working together to push a heavy wheel.

    • The students were advised to put their shoulders to the wheel during their internships, so they could gain practical experience and make a significant contribution to the company.

      Here, the idiom suggests that students should work diligently during their internships, similar to pushing a heavy wheel, in order to acquire essential skills and make a meaningful impact on the company they are interning at.

    • Sarah has been struggling to meet her sales targets, but she's determined to turn things around. She's been putting her shoulder to the wheel and working tirelessly to close more deals.

      This idiom means to work hard and make a concerted effort towards a goal. Sarah is using all her energy and resources to achieve success in her job.

    • After the company faced financial difficulties, the CEO urged all employees to put their shoulders to the wheel and help the company weather the storm.

      This idiom is often used in the context of a challenging situation, where everyone involved is called upon to contribute their efforts towards a common goal.

    • The volunteer group visiting the local animal shelter put their shoulders to the wheel and helped to clean and maintain the facility, making it a more comfortable and safe place for the animals.

      This idiom can also be used in a community or group setting, where everyone is encouraged to work collaboratively towards a common purpose.

    • The coach of the struggling school football team encouraged his players to put their shoulders to the wheel and give it their all in the upcoming tournament.

      This idiom is commonly used in the context of sports, where athletes are encouraged to work hard and give their maximum effort in achieving victory.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "put your shoulder to the wheel" is often used to motivate and encourage someone to work hard and put in a lot of effort to achieve a goal or complete a task. It can also be used to urge someone to actively participate and contribute to a collective effort or project, emphasizing the importance of everyone's contribution.

    Origin of "Put your shoulder to the wheel"

    The origin of the idiom "put your shoulder to the wheel" can be traced back to the literal action of pushing a heavy object, such as a wheel, by putting one's shoulder against it. This physical exertion and effort required to move the wheel have been metaphorically used to symbolize hard work and dedication. The idiom has its roots in the concept of physical labor and has been adopted into the English language to convey the idea of putting in substantial effort to achieve a goal or contribute to a collective endeavor.

    The idiom may have originated from the practice of using a wheel as a means of transportation or in the operation of machinery, where individuals would need to physically engage and exert force to move the wheel. Over time, this action became associated with the notion of hard work and effort, leading to the figurative use of the idiom to encourage diligence and perseverance in various tasks and endeavors.