Traditional
Still common
Definition
The tough, unglamorous work needed to get something done.
Example Sentence
"We've done the hard yards, now it's just paperwork."
Where "Hard Yards" Comes From
"Hard yards" comes from rugby league and rugby union, describing the tough metres gained by forwards grinding the ball forward against resistance.
It moved from the football field into everyday Australian speech during the 20th century as a metaphor for effort.
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used across work, sport, and study to describe the difficult grind that comes before any payoff.
"Putting in the hard yards" is the standard phrase for doing that unglamorous groundwork.
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