work doggedly or persistently; She keeps plugging away at her dissertation

[ Syn: plug away , peg away , keep ones nose to the grindstone , keep ones shoulder to the wheel ]

walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud; Mules plodded in a circle around a grindstone

[ Syn: footslog , plod , trudge , pad , tramp ]

strike heavily, especially with the fist or a bat; He slugged me so hard that I passed out

[ Syn: slug , swig ]