slog

slog — verb

1. to put in a lot of effort over a long stretch of time, especially for a task tha

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to put in a lot of effort over a long stretch of time, especially for a task that feels repetitive or uninteresting.

Example

Putri slogged away at her chemistry homework until well after midnight.

slog + away + at + [task] for sustained effort

David slogged through the first three chapters of the textbook before taking a short break.

slog + through + [lengthy material]

Common collocations
  • slog away
  • slog through
  • slog for hours
  • slog at
Synonyms
  • toil

    more formal and literary; suggests strenuous physical or mental work

  • labour

    slightly more formal; used for both physical and intellectual work

  • grind

    informal, similar register; emphasises the boring, repetitive nature

  • slave away

    phrasal verb; stronger emotional tone of resentment

Antonyms
  • coast

    to make progress with minimal effort

  • idle

    to spend time doing nothing

Grammar Patterns

slog + away + at + something

slog + through + something

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'away at' (focusing on the activity) or 'through' (focusing on completing a large piece of work). Very informal — use 'work hard' or 'labour' in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I slogged hard on the project but failed.
I slogged away on the project but still missed the deadline.
'slog' already implies hard effort; adding 'hard' is redundant.
She slogged to finish her degree.
She slogged through four years of medical school.
'slog' works better with a long, difficult process than a single goal.

2. to move forwards with great effort, especially through deep mud, heavy snow, or

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to move forwards with great effort, especially through deep mud, heavy snow, or other difficult ground, often while exhausted.

Example

Mauricio slogged through the thick mud after the rain turned the trail into a swamp.

slog + through + [physical obstacle]

Élise slogged up the steep hill with a heavy backpack strapped to her shoulders.

slog + up + [slope]

Common collocations
  • slog through mud
  • slog up a hill
  • slog along
  • slog across
Synonyms
  • trudge

    emphasises slow, heavy steps from weariness or burden

  • plod

    suggests slow, steady steps without the emotional weight of 'slog'

  • tramp

    implies walking with firm, heavy steps over a long distance

Antonyms
  • glide

    to move smoothly and with ease

  • stride

    to walk with long, confident steps

Grammar Patterns

slog + through + [obstacle]

slog + up + [slope]

slog + along + [path]

Usage Note

Unlike 'walk' or 'hike', 'slog' always implies difficulty — you cannot slog through something easy or pleasant. Often used with directional phrases (up, along, through, across).

Common Mistakes

We slogged through the park on a nice sunny day.
We slogged through the muddy field after the storm.
'slog' for movement requires an obstacle or difficulty.

3. to strike a ball very forcefully in a game such as cricket or tennis, often in a

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to strike a ball very forcefully in a game such as cricket or tennis, often in a way that lacks control or precision.

Example

Daichi slogged the ball over the boundary and scored six runs for his team.

slog + [ball] + over + [boundary] — cricket scoring

Jabari slogged the cricket ball straight at the fielder and was caught out.

Common collocations
  • slog a ball
  • slog wildly
  • slog over the boundary
  • slog for six
Synonyms
  • wallop

    informal; even stronger force, often with a sense of satisfaction

  • smash

    in tennis specifically; a powerful overhead shot

  • belt

    informal, common in baseball and cricket contexts

Antonyms
  • tap

    to hit lightly and with control

  • guide

    to direct the ball with precision rather than force

Grammar Patterns

slog + [ball] + [direction]

slog + [ball] + over/into/at

Usage Note

Chiefly British sports commentary and informal conversation. In cricket, a 'slog' specifically describes an aggressive, low-skill shot. In tennis and baseball, it describes a powerful but poorly aimed hit.

Common Mistakes

She slogged the ball perfectly down the middle.
She slogged the ball but it went wide.
'slog' implies lack of precision; don't use it for a well-controlled shot.
Idioms

slog/sweat/work your guts out

idiom

To put a lot of effort into doing something difficult.

Mia slogged her guts out to finish the marathon.

Did you really work your guts out on that project?

slog it out

idiom

To fight or compete with someone until one side wins.

The two teams slogged it out in the final match.

Are they still slogging it out over the contract?

slog — noun

Word family

  • slogger
    nounC1
  • slogging
    adjectiveC1
  • slogging
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe sustained effort, but they differ in register, connotation, and typical usage. 'Slog' (informal) emphasises the dull, repetitive, or difficult nature of the work — it is the best choice when you want to convey frustration or exhaustion: 'She slogged through a stack of forms all afternoon.' 'Toil' is more formal and literary, often suggesting exhausting physical or mental effort with a sense of struggle: 'The farmers toiled in the fields from dawn till dusk.' 'Labour' sits between the two in formality and is neutral enough for most writing: 'He laboured over the report for weeks.' 'Grind' matches 'slog' in informality but focuses more on boring, unchanging routine than on difficulty: 'Another day, another grind at the office.' Choose 'slog' when the emphasis is on perseverance through tedium; choose 'toil' or 'labour' for more formal or dramatic contexts.

slog ↗toillabour ↗grind ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • slog through mud
  • slog through snow
  • slog up a hill
  • slog through paperwork

Adverbs

  • slog away
  • slog on
  • slog through

Phrases

  • hard slog
  • long slog
  • tough slog
  • real slog
  • quite a slog

Prepositions

Etymology

possibly from 'slug' (unknown ultimate origin)English

The origin of 'slog' is uncertain. It first appeared in the early 1800s, possibly as a variant of 'slug' (to strike hard). The 'work hard' meaning may have developed from the image of persistently beating or hammering away at a task, while the sports sense (hit a ball hard) stayed closer to the original striking meaning. The noun forms emerged in the mid-19th century.