WordWeb Online

1. Study intensively, as before an exam
   - cram [informal], bone up [informal], swot [Brit, informal], get up [informal], mug up [Brit, informal], swot up [Brit, informal], bone [informal], revise [Brit]
    
2. Work hard on something
   - beaver [informal], beaver away [informal], slave away
    
3. Work doggedly or persistently
   - plug away, peg away, slog, keep one's nose to the grindstone, keep one's shoulder to the wheel, slave away

Derived forms: grinding away, grinds away, ground away

Type of: hit the books, study, work