# glutton for punishment

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/glutton-for-punishment
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One who persists in an effort in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.

## Examples

- He is a glutton for punishment for working on his day off.
- After failing the exam twice, she signed up for the hardest class again; she is a real glutton for punishment.
- Despite the repeated failures of his previous ventures, he launched another ambitious startup, proving himself a true glutton for punishment in the pursuit of his vision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.