What does slog mean?
A slog is work carried on with sustained effort, often under conditions that are tiring, repetitive, or discouraging. As a verb, it means to labor at a demanding task, as in “slogging through the paperwork,” or to move slowly with difficulty, as in “slogging up a steep hill.” As a noun, it refers to a hard or prolonged undertaking: “The final stage was a long slog.” The word often carries a negative or weary tone, distinguishing the experience from purposeful, energetic labor. Its associations with endurance, drudgery, and determined progress make it especially useful for describing difficult processes whose results matter more than their glamour. Although it can sound informal in conversation, “slog” is widely accepted in journalism, sport, business, and ordinary prose.
To work at something with sustained and laborious effort, or to move slowly and with difficulty.
"They slogged through another week of negotiations."
Common with “through” and “away at”; it often implies that the effort is unpleasant or monotonous.
A prolonged, difficult, and often unglamorous period of work or progress.
"The climb to the summit was an exhausting slog."
The noun commonly occurs in phrases such as “a long slog” and “a hard slog.”
Plural forms are used for separate difficult tasks or periods of effort.
"The final three slogs of the campaign exhausted the entire team."
A slog describes the less photogenic side of achievement: the long stretch where progress comes through sheer effort rather than inspiration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slog come from?
The origin of “slog” is uncertain. The word is attested in British English by the early nineteenth century, initially associated with forceful movement or striking before developing its modern senses of hard work and difficult progress. The noun was formed from the verb, and no relationship to a separate, clearly established root can be stated with confidence.
Related word forms
How slog is actually used
In its most common senses, “slog” conveys persistent effort that is tiring, monotonous, or unpleasant. “Slog through” suggests getting through something demanding, while “slog away at” emphasizes continued effort on a task.
Easily confused with slog
A slog is a prolonged period of hard effort, whereas a slug is a small mollusk, a bullet, or a unit of mass.