# beaver away

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beaver-away
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He beavers away the homework." but "He beavers away at the homework." — the phrasal verb is intransitive and requires 'at' to connect to the object.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.