noun

meatgrinder

MEET-grynd-er

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Meatgrinder (noun) means a device that cuts meat into very small pieces. Example: “She pushed the beef through the meatgrinder to make burgers.”

noun

A device that cuts meat into very small pieces.

"She pushed the beef through the meatgrinder to make burgers."

"The butcher cleaned the meatgrinder at the end of the day."

"We bought a hand-cranked meatgrinder for making sausages."

informal An informal term for a situation or process, such as a battle or a demanding job, that causes heavy loss, damage or harm to those caught up in it.

"The frontline turned into a meatgrinder within the first week of fighting."

"Some call the industry a meatgrinder because of how it wears people down."

"The last leg of the race was a real meatgrinder for the whole team."

How to use meatgrinder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA meatgrinder is the kitchen tool for mincing meat, and informally any brutal, punishing situation that chews people up.

When to use it

The figurative sense is informal and mostly spoken or journalistic rather than found in formal writing.

Memory tip

If a job or battle is called a meatgrinder, picture the kitchen device: whatever goes in comes out badly worn down.

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Common pairings

put through the meatgrinder a meatgrinder of a job turned into a meatgrinder fed into the meatgrinder

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She pushed the beef through the _____ to make burgers.

Etymology

Meatgrinder is a straightforward compound formed from meat and grinder, naming the tool by what it does.

Origin: English

Rhymes for meatgrinder

hinder kinder tinder cinder finder binder Linder grinder cylinder reminder remainder bookbinder

See all rhymes for meatgrinder →

Frequently asked questions

What does meatgrinder mean?

A meatgrinder is literally a device for cutting meat into small pieces, and informally it describes a situation, such as a battle or gruelling job, that causes heavy loss or harm.

Is meatgrinder one word or two?

It appears as meatgrinder, meat grinder or meat-grinder, so all three spellings are used.

Why do people call a hard situation a meatgrinder?

The image comes from the device itself: something fed into it comes out badly damaged, which fits a situation that wears people down or causes heavy casualties.

What is the meaning of meatgrinder?

"meatgrinder" (noun) means a device that cuts meat into very small pieces.