Phrasal verb
grind into
Definition
phrasal verb. to press something hard into a surface using a twisting movement; it can also mean to force someone to accept a difficult idea or habit through constant repetition.
phrasal verb. to press or rub something forcefully into a surface; figuratively, to instill something in someone through persistent, forceful repetition or to oppress someone through harsh treatment.
Examples
“He used his shoe to grind the cigarette into the dirt.”
“The coach tried to grind the basic rules of the game into the new players during every practice.”
“Years of systemic poverty had served to grind the local population into a state of weary resignation and hopelessness.”
Examples
simple
“He used his shoe to grind the cigarette into the dirt.”
contextual
“The coach tried to grind the basic rules of the game into the new players during every practice.”
complex
“Years of systemic poverty had served to grind the local population into a state of weary resignation and hopelessness.”
Usage
often used with physical objects like dirt or dust, or abstract concepts like ideas and habits.
Teaching tip
highlight the physical action of 'grinding' (like coffee beans) to help students visualize the force and repetition required for the figurative meaning.
Pitfall
She grinded the dirt into the carpet.
She ground the dirt into the carpet.
the past tense of 'grind' is 'ground', not 'grinded'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
into
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
grind + object + into + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/grind-into