blood, sweat and tears

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Popularized through a famous speech made by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons in 1940,[1] but already present in earlier poetry.[2]

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun

blood, sweat and tears pl (plural only)

  1. (idiomatic) A person's determination and hard work.
    • 2021 October 20, Angie Doll explains to Paul Clifton, “We were absolutely at rock bottom...”, in RAIL, number 942, page 37:
      She concludes: "I have put blood, sweat and tears into this business. I am genuinely more excited now than I have ever been. I plan to stick around."

Translations

References
  1. Winston Churchill (1940 May 13) Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: “I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined the government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.””
  2. John Donne (1611) An Anatomy of the World‎: “And learnſt thus much by our Anatomy / That 'tis in vaine to dew, or mollifie / It with thy Teares, or Sweat, or Blood: […]”
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