workhorse

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Word: Workhorse

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Explanation:

A "workhorse" is a term used to describe something or someone that is very reliable and performs a lot of hard work. Originally, it referred to a horse that was used for heavy tasks like plowing fields or pulling heavy loads.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "workhorse" to describe not only animals but also machines, tools, or even people who do a lot of hard work consistently. It often implies that the subject is dependable and can handle tough jobs.

Examples:

1. In a Sentence: "The old truck is a real workhorse; it never breaks down, even when carrying heavy loads."
2. In a Sentence (Person): "Maria is the workhorse of our team; she always finishes her projects on time and helps others."

Advanced Usage:

In a business context, you might refer to a reliable piece of equipment or a software program as a workhorse. For example, "The IBM mainframe computers have been the workhorse of the business world for decades, managing large amounts of data efficiently."

Word Variants:

• Workhorses (Plural): Refers to multiple reliable entities.
• Workhorse-like (Adjective): Describing something that has characteristics of being a workhorse.

Different Meanings:

While "workhorse" primarily refers to something reliable and hardworking, in a figurative sense, it can also describe a person who takes on many responsibilities or tasks in a group.

Synonyms:

• Stalwart
• Dependable
• Backbone
• Heavy-duty (when referring to machines)
• Reliable worker (when referring to people)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "workhorse," but you might hear phrases like: - "Pulling one's weight," which means doing your fair share of work. - "Carrying the load," which means taking on more responsibility or work.

Summary:

In summary, "workhorse" is a versatile word that you can use to describe anything that is hardworking and reliable, whether it’s a machine, tool, or person.

Academic

Noun

1. a horse used for plowing and hauling and other heavy labor
2. machine that performs dependably under heavy use
   • the IBM main frame computers have been the workhorse of the business world