grinds
grinds — verb
- grindspresent simple I / you / we / they
- grindses3rd person singular
- grindsing-ing form
- grindsedpast simple
1. to press a hard material between two surfaces or inside a machine so that it bre
to press a hard material between two surfaces or inside a machine so that it breaks into tiny fragments or a powder-like state
Kasia grinds coffee beans every morning before making her first cup.
grind + coffee beans (common breakfast object)
The old mill still grinds wheat into fine flour for the local bakery.
grind + into + result (final product)
Noor grinds fresh peppercorns into the salad dressing for extra flavour.
The machine grinds the almonds until they become a smooth paste.
- lump
to form into a mass instead of separating into pieces
文法句型
grind + object
grind + object + into + noun
grind + object + for + purpose
用法筆記
The preposition 'into' introduces the resulting form (e.g. grind wheat into flour). 'For' introduces the purpose (e.g. grind beans for coffee). Frequently used with kitchen equipment (mill, grinder, mortar and pestle).
常見錯誤
2. to slide a tool or object against a rough, hard material so that its edge become
to slide a tool or object against a rough, hard material so that its edge becomes sharp or its surface becomes smooth
Ryo grinds the kitchen knife on a whetstone until the blade feels sharp again.
grind + object + on + surface (sharpening tool)
The metalworker grinds down the rough edges of the steel plate with an electric tool.
grind + down + object (remove unwanted material)
Rodrigo grinds the axe on a stone wheel before heading out to cut firewood.
Andrés grinds away the old paint from the wooden door before applying a fresh coat.
- dull
to make something less sharp
文法句型
grind + object + on/against + surface
grind + down/away + object
用法筆記
The particle 'down' emphasises removing material from the surface; 'away' suggests complete removal; 'off' suggests removing a coating or protruding part. Subject is often a tradesperson (carpenter, knife-maker, machinist).
3. to rub the upper and lower teeth against each other with force, often producing
to rub the upper and lower teeth against each other with force, often producing a scraping noise, especially while sleeping or when feeling angry or stressed
Putri often grinds her teeth while she sleeps, so her dentist gave her a mouthguard.
grind + possessive + teeth (frequent health context)
When he gets very angry, he grinds his teeth together to stop himself from shouting.
The doctor told Evelyn that grinding her teeth at night can cause headaches and jaw pain.
Folake grinds her teeth every time the neighbour's dog starts barking late at night.
文法句型
grind + possessive + teeth
grind + teeth + together
用法筆記
Usually used reflexively with a possessive determiner (grind one's teeth). The medical term for this habit is 'bruxism.' Frequently used in health contexts involving dentists, stress management, or sleep disorders.
常見錯誤
4. in video games, to perform the same activity repeatedly so that a character earn
in video games, to perform the same activity repeatedly so that a character earns experience points, virtual currency, or rare objects
James grinds through the same enemy camp every evening to unlock the final weapon.
grind + through + location (gaming area)
Instead of exploring new areas, she grinds for experience points in the forest near the village.
grind + for + reward (gaming goal)
Adisa grinds gold coins by fighting the same monster repeatedly until his character reaches the next level.
Many players grind for hours each day just to collect enough materials to craft a rare sword.
文法句型
grind through + noun
grind for + noun
grind + adverb (away/through)
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the context of online multiplayer or role-playing games. 'Grinding' is the gerund form commonly used as a noun (e.g. 'the grinding in this game is tedious'). Intransitive — no direct object.
5. to put a lot of effort and time into a task that requires hard, continuous, ofte
to put a lot of effort and time into a task that requires hard, continuous, often boring work, especially over a long period
Folake grinds away at her research paper every weekend to finish before the deadline.
grind + away + at + object (continuous hard work)
The team grinds through endless practice sessions before the championship match.
grind + through + object (tedious but necessary work)
Tamar grinds day after day at the factory, saving every dollar for her family back home.
Kasia grinds through her accounting studies late into the night, determined to pass the exam.
- idle
to spend time doing nothing productive
文法句型
grind + away + at + noun
grind + through + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive only. The phrasal forms 'grind away' and 'grind through' are the most common. Unlike 'work hard,' this verb carries a slightly negative tone — it suggests the effort is tiring, repetitive, or unpleasant. Compare noun sense 3 (the daily grind).
6. to move the hips and lower body in a circular, sexually suggestive motion while
to move the hips and lower body in a circular, sexually suggestive motion while dancing, often in close contact with a partner
At the club, the dancers grind to the slow beat of the music under the coloured lights.
grind + to + music (dancing context)
Noor gently grinds against her partner during the dance routine at the salsa competition.
grind + against + person (partner interaction)
The singer shocked the audience when she started to grind on stage during the performance.
Rodrigo watched the dancers grind to the loud music on the crowded floor.
文法句型
grind + against + person
grind + to + music
用法筆記
Informal and potentially offensive in some contexts. Used in descriptions of club dancing, music videos, and stage performances. Preposition 'against' indicates a partner; 'to' indicates the music; 'on' indicates a surface or stage.
grinds — noun
- grindssingular
- grindsesplural
1. the size or coarseness of the pieces in a substance, especially coffee, that has
the size or coarseness of the pieces in a substance, especially coffee, that has been crushed into small particles
For espresso, a fine grind works much better than a coarse one.
fine grind / coarse grind (opposite particle sizes)
The coffee shop offers both a coarse grind and a medium grind for different brewing methods.
medium grind / coarse grind (gradations)
Anjali bought a bag of coffee with a medium grind for her drip coffee maker at home.
A coarse grind is best for French press because the water takes longer to strain through.
- particle size
technical term; used in manufacturing and materials science
- granulation
formal; describes the size distribution of particles in a powder
文法句型
adjective + grind
fine/coarse/medium grind
用法筆記
Used with adjectives describing particle size — common scales: fine, medium, coarse. The term belongs to coffee culture but also applies to other ground substances (spices, grains). Uncountable when referring generally to the concept; countable when specifying a type (e.g. 'a fine grind').
常見錯誤
2. the action or sound of crushing something into small pieces or powder by pressin
the action or sound of crushing something into small pieces or powder by pressing it between hard surfaces
The loud grind of the stone mill could be heard from across the street.
the grind of + machine (noise of crushing)
A quick grind in the spice mill turns the cumin seeds into a fragrant powder.
a quick grind (brief crushing action)
The cook gave the black pepper a fresh grind before adding it to the sauce.
With each grind of the pestle, the garlic and salt turned into a smooth paste.
文法句型
the grind of + noun
a grind
用法筆記
Often uncountable — refers to the general action or sound. Countable with 'a' when describing a single, brief action (e.g. 'give it a grind'). The phrase 'the grind of' is commonly used for the noise of machinery. Distinguish from sense 1 (grain size) — this sense is about the process, not the result.
3. a regular but boring and exhausting activity or way of life, especially one that
a regular but boring and exhausting activity or way of life, especially one that feels like it never changes
The daily grind of commuting, meetings, and e-mail leaves Nora feeling completely drained.
the daily grind (most common pattern)
Anjali wanted to quit her desk job and escape the nine-to-five grind of city life.
For many people, the office grind feels boring and repetitive after the first few years.
The grind of caring for a sick relative left Evelyn exhausted both physically and emotionally.
文法句型
the + adjective + grind
the grind of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'the.' The classic fixed phrase is 'the daily grind' (everyday work routine). Also used with other modifiers: 'the nine-to-five grind,' 'the office grind.' Carries a negative or resigned tone. Compare verb sense 5 (to work hard) — the noun describes the situation itself, not the act of working.
常見錯誤
4. a person, especially a student, who spends almost all their time studying and ha
a person, especially a student, who spends almost all their time studying and has little interest in social activities or fun
The other kids called him a grind because he spent every evening at the library.
call + someone + a grind (label as studious)
In high school she was known as a grind who never went to parties or dances.
known as a grind (reputation)
Maeve did not mind being called a grind — her top grades and scholarship were worth the effort.
Being a grind helped James get into medical school, but he missed out on high school friendships.
- nerd
more common today; can also imply interest in technology or comics, not just studying
- bookworm
less negative; describes someone who loves reading
- workaholic
for adults who work excessively rather than students who study
- slacker
someone who avoids work or study
文法句型
be a grind
call someone a grind
用法筆記
Somewhat dated in American English — 'nerd' or 'geek' are more common today. This term carries a mildly disapproving or teasing tone. Usually used by other students, not by teachers or parents. Countable: 'a grind.'
5. extra teaching sessions outside of regular school hours, usually to prepare for
extra teaching sessions outside of regular school hours, usually to prepare for exams or to improve in a particular subject
In India, many students attend a grind after regular school for extra help with mathematics.
attend a grind (extra academic sessions)
Her parents paid for a grind in physics because she was struggling with the subject.
a grind in + subject (specific topic tutoring)
The grind centre near the station offers evening classes for students preparing for competitive exams.
Every summer the grind school runs intensive courses for students aiming to enter engineering colleges.
- tuition
standard British English term for private lessons
- cram school
East Asian English; specifically exam-focused after-school academies
- coaching centre
Indian English; a centre that offers extra classes for exam preparation
文法句型
go to grind
attend a grind
grind school
用法筆記
Primarily used in Indian English, where 'grind' or 'grind school' refers to private tutoring centres (similar to 'cram school' or 'coaching centre' in other varieties). Less common or unknown in American and British English.