Breaking Your Ass
Definition: To exert oneself to the utmost degree; work extremely hard.
Origins and Context: This rather vulgar usage dates from the first half of the 1900s. It was notably employed by Norman Mailer in his war novel “The Naked and the Dead” (1948): “What’re we breakin’ our asses for? Let’s take it easy.” Sometimes “butt” is substituted for “ass,” though it doesn’t seem to make the task any more leisurely.
Similar Phrases:
- Work One’s Tail Off: Equally expressive and ever so slightly less controversial.
- Burn the Midnight Oil: A poetic way to describe late-night labor.
- Push Yourself to the Limit: Could also be a slogan for a personal trainer.
- Give It 110%: Mathematically dubious, yet highly motivational.
Related Terms:
- Industrious: Showing great care and perseverance.
- Diligent: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work.
- Arduous: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
Synonyms:
- Toil
- Labor
- Strive
- Sweat
Antonyms:
- Relax
- Coast
- Laze
- Idle
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves.” —Lane Kirkland
- “No man can succeed in a line of endeavor which he does not like.” —Napoleon Hill
Proverbs:
- “Hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance?” —Anonymous
- “How long the night seems to one kept awake by pain.” —Proverb highlighting toil.
References:
- Literature: Norman Mailer’s “The Naked and the Dead” (1948)
- Poetry: “To Work is to Embark on an Odyssey,” said no famous poet but would make for an intriguing verse.
- Songs: “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy – a classic anthem to the working class.
- Movies: “The Pursuit of Happyness” – Will Smith’s portrayal of hard work paying off, eventually.
Remember, whether breaking your tail or taking it easy, it’s all about balance in life. Now, go break a leg—with hard work or in performance—and make your day count!
Inspirational Thought: “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” — Will Rogers
Fictitious Author Farewell: Until next time, keep those engines revved and run the race with both effort and ease. Yours in all things lively and lexically lush, E. L. Efforth.
