chân lấm tay bùn
[t͡ɕən˧˧ ləm˧˦ taj˧˧ ʔɓun˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(verb) to toil bitterly; to labor arduously; to work one's fingers to the bone; to break one's back; to keep one's nose to the grindstone
Verb
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
work one's fingers to the bone
to work extremely hard
English
Near equivalent
break one's back
to work extremely hard
English
Near equivalent
nose to the grindstone
To work very hard and constantly
English
Near equivalent
bục mặt
(verb) to work one's fingers to the bone
Tiếng Việt · via work one's fingers to the bone
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “chân lấm tay bùn” mean?
(verb) to toil bitterly; to labor arduously; to work one's fingers to the bone; to break one's back; to keep one's nose to the grindstone
Is “chân lấm tay bùn” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“work one's fingers to the bone” (English) — near equivalent.