subs. (common).—1. A tutor; a COACH (q.v.).
2. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms, see MONOSYLLABLE.
TO BRING (HOLD, PUT, or KEEP) ONE’S NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To oppress, harass, or punish; to treat harshly. TO HAVE ONE’S NOSE KEPT TO THE GRINDSTONE = to be held to a bargain, or at work.
1578. T. NORTH, Plutarch, p. 241. They might be ashamed, for lack of courage, to suffer the Lacedæmonians TO HOLD THEIR NOSES TO THE GRINDSTONE.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. HOLD. HOLD HIS NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE, to keep him Under, or Tie him Neck and Heels in a Bargain.
TO HAVE THE GRINDSTONE ON HIS BACK, verb. phr. (common).—Said of a man going to fetch the monthly nurse.—GROSE.
