Effort & Success
Up a blind alley
Following a course of action that leads nowhere.
Dark horse
A candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who wins unexpectedly.
Every dog has its day
Everyone gets an opportunity for success or luck eventually.
The early bird catches the worm
Success comes to those who prepare and act early.
Practice makes perfect
Regular repetition leads to skill mastery.
Rome wasn't built in a day
Important projects take a long time and patience to complete.
Slow and steady wins the race
Consistent effort brings better results than reckless speed.
Needle in a haystack
Something that is extremely difficult or impossible to find.
Grasp at straws
To attempt any desperate remedy when all hope is gone.
Smooth sailing
Easy and unimpeded progress.
Against the clock
In a race to finish something before a set deadline.
Beat a dead horse
To waste effort on something that cannot be changed or resolved.
Pull out all the stops
To use all available resources and effort to achieve something.
Hit the ground running
To start an activity with great speed and enthusiasm immediately.
Leave no stone unturned
To make every possible effort to find or achieve something.
Wild goose chase
A hopeless search or pursuit.
Jump the gun
To start something before the proper time.
Burn the candle at both ends
To exhaust oneself by doing too much work and staying up late.
Kill two birds with one stone
To achieve two things with a single action.
Throw in the towel
To give up or admit defeat.
Back to the drawing board
To start planning something again because the previous plan failed.
Go the extra mile
To make more effort than is expected of you.
Call it a day
To stop working on something for the rest of the day.
English Idioms for Effort and Success
English has many idioms for talking about hard work, persistence, achievement, and the results of sustained effort. Some describe putting in a great deal of work, while others express determination, progress, success, or finally achieving a desired result.
The Effort & Success category brings together expressions used when people work toward a goal, overcome difficulties, make progress, or succeed after putting in the necessary effort.
Idioms About Hard Work and Effort
English idioms can describe working hard, putting energy into something, making an effort, or continuing to work despite difficulties.
These expressions often convey more than the simple idea of effort. They can suggest persistence, determination, dedication, or the willingness to keep going when something is difficult.
Idioms About Achievement and Success
Other idioms focus on what happens after effort has been made: reaching a goal, achieving something important, getting a good result, or finally succeeding.
Some expressions emphasize the outcome, while others highlight the process that leads to it. Context helps determine which expression sounds most natural in a particular situation.
How Effort and Success Idioms Are Used
Idioms in this category can describe both successful and unsuccessful attempts. They may refer to persistence in the face of obstacles, gradual progress, a breakthrough, or the rewards of hard work.
Their tone can also vary. Some expressions are neutral, while others are informal, encouraging, humorous, or strongly positive. Example sentences show how these differences work in real usage.
Effort and Success Idioms in Other Languages
An English idiom about hard work or success may have a natural equivalent in Russian, Spanish, or French, but the equivalent may use a very different image.
Akcento compares idioms by meaning and usage rather than translating them word for word. This makes it possible to see how different languages describe effort, perseverance, achievement, and success in their own ways.
Explore Effort & Success Idioms
Browse the idioms in this category to discover English expressions related to hard work, persistence, progress, achievement, and success.
Frequently asked questions
What are effort and success idioms in English?
They are idiomatic expressions used to talk about hard work, persistence, progress, achievement, and reaching a desired result.
Which English idioms describe hard work?
English has idioms for working hard, making an effort, staying determined, and continuing despite difficulties. The appropriate expression depends on the context and the tone you want to convey.
Which English idioms describe success?
Success idioms can describe reaching a goal, achieving a result, overcoming difficulties, or benefiting from previous effort. Some focus on the achievement itself, while others emphasize the process behind it.
Do English idioms about effort and success have equivalents in other languages?
Often they do, but the natural equivalent may use completely different imagery. Akcento compares English idioms with natural equivalents in Russian, Spanish, and French rather than relying on literal translations.