Phrasal verb
beaver away
Definition
phrasal verb. to work very hard and steadily at a task for a long time. You use this when someone is busy and focused on finishing something.
phrasal verb. to work industriously and persistently at a task over a prolonged period. The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'at' to introduce the task.
Examples
“She is beavering away at her report in the office.”
“He spent the entire weekend beavering away in the garden to get it ready for the summer party.”
“While the senior partners enjoyed their lunch, the associates were beavering away in the archives, searching for the missing contract.”
Examples
simple
“She is beavering away at her report in the office.”
contextual
“He spent the entire weekend beavering away in the garden to get it ready for the summer party.”
complex
“While the senior partners enjoyed their lunch, the associates were beavering away in the archives, searching for the missing contract.”
Usage
This phrase is usually followed by the preposition 'at' when mentioning the specific task.
Teaching tip
Use the image of a beaver building a dam to anchor the meaning of persistent, busy work in the students' minds.
Pitfall
He beavers away the homework.
He beavers away at the homework.
the phrasal verb is intransitive and requires 'at' to connect to the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
away
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
beaver + away (+ at + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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