year in, year out
Definition: Continuously and consistently over a long period of time.
Imagine running a marathon with no finish line in sight. That’s “year in, year out” for you. Forever the underdog in perpetual motion, grinding and toiling, undeterred and unfazed.
🔄 Synonyms:
- Year after year
- Consistently
- Perennially
- Regularly
🚫 Antonyms:
- Sporadically
- Episodically
- Occasionally
Louisa May Alcott captured the soul of this endurance in her timeless classic, “Little Women” (1868): “You see the other girls having splendid times while you grind, grind, year in and year out.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Day in, day out: Repeating daily without fail
- Grindstone: A symbol of constant and diligent work
- Perseverance: The ability to keep going despite difficulties
- Endurance: The spirit to persist through hardships
Humorous Quotes
- “I spent a fortune on deodorant over the years, but year in, year out, I still ended up with a stinky attitude.” - Anonymous
- “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When it gives you lemons year in, year out, open a lemonade franchise.” - Wilma Wordsworth
Proverbs
- “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”: Consistency pays off.
- “Slow and steady wins the race.”: Aesop’s Fables
Literature and Media
-
Books:
- “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
- “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway (a testament to enduring perseverance)
-
Movies:
- “Groundhog Day” (1993) - Repetition redefined.
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) - A story of relentless perseverance.
-
Songs:
- “Day After Day” by Badfinger
- “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson
Farewell Thought
Perseverance is the thread that stitches the tapestry of time. Keep going, year in and year out, and watch ordinary days turn into extraordinary accomplishments.
May the constancy of your efforts blossom into the garden of your dreams! 🌱✨
### Which of these phrases means the same as 'year in, year out'?
- [x] Year after year
- [ ] Every once in a while
- [ ] At the eleventh hour
- [ ] Just in the nick of time
> **Explanation:** "Year after year" carries the same essence of continuous engagement over a long period of time, just like "year in, year out."
### Identify the phrase closest in meaning to 'year in, year out':
- [ ] In a jiffy
- [x] Day in, day out
- [ ] Once in a blue moon
- [ ] From time to time
> **Explanation:** "Day in, day out" is most similar to "year in, year out," referring to something that happens regularly and without interruption.
### True or False: 'Year in, year out' can indicate something that happens irregularly.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** Incorrect. The phrase signifies something occurring continuously and consistently—not sporadically.
### Which expression is about enduring effort over time?
- [x] Grinding at the grindstone
- [ ] Quick and dirty
- [ ] Under the weather
- [ ] Running on empty
> **Explanation:** "Grinding at the grindstone" you got it! Much like "year in, year out," it speaks to relentless, diligent effort over a long period.
### Is 'year in, year out' synonymous with 'day in, day out'?
- [x] Yes
- [ ] No
> **Explanation:** Absolutely! Both phrases illustrate something that continues on a regular and unwavering basis.
