ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grind into

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. 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.

phr. v.. 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.


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.

Particles
into
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
grind + object + into + object
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'.

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