workhorse
nounUK /ˈwɜːkhɔːs/ · CA, US /ˈwɝkhoɹs/
Etymology From Middle English werkehorse, equivalent to work + horse.
1
A horse used primarily for manual labor; a draft horse.
2
Broadly Someone or something that does a lot of work; someone or something that works consistently or regularly.
- Those old machines are not very glamorous, but even 20 years after their introduction, they are still the workhorses of the industry.
- Captain Harry Kane was the workhorse and creator, while Sterling and Rashford provided the finishing flourishes that put England in dreamland at the interval.2018 October 15, Phil McNulty, “Spain 2-3 England”, in BBC Sport:
1 more example
- "Class 08s have been the workhorses of ports, distribution centres and depots across Britain's railway for more than 60 years," said Positive Traction Director Alistair Gregory.2023 November 1, “Network News: Strong industry interest as Positive Traction launches '08e'”, in RAIL, number 995, page 18:
- Related terms
- powerhouse, warhorse, wheelhorse, yardhorse