What it means
Putting in solid, sweaty effort, usually at work or on some proper hands-on job, like you’re just getting your head down and cracking on. It also means putting persistent effort into flirting or trying to pull someone, chatting them up and not giving up, especially after Love Island made everyone say it. Either way, it’s all about effort, not vibes.
Usage examples
"Been grafting on that fence since breakfast, absolute slog, but it’s bang on now. Stick the kettle on and crack him a cold one, yeah?"
"He's been grafting on the building site since six, no wonder he's shattered."
"Two jobs and night classes, she's grafting harder than anyone I know."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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