(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
When people ~, they work very hard doing unpleasant or tiring tasks. (LITERARY)
People who ~ed in dim, dank factories were too exhausted to enjoy their family life...
Workers ~ed long hours.
VERB: V, V n
•
Toil away means the same as ~ .
She has ~ed away at the violin for years...
Nora ~s away serving burgers at the local cafe.
PHRASAL VERB: V P at/on n, V P
2.
Toil is unpleasant work that is very tiring physically. (LITERARY)
N-UNCOUNT