workhorse

American  

[wurk-hawrs] / ˈwɜrkˌhɔrs /

noun

1. a horse used for plowing, hauling, and other heavy labor, as distinguished from a riding horse, racehorse, etc.

2. a person who works tirelessly at a task, assumes extra duties, etc.

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workhorse British  

/ ˈwɜːkˌhɔːs /

noun

1. a horse used for nonrecreational activities

2. informal a person who takes on the greatest amount of work in a project or job

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Etymology

Origin of workhorse

First recorded in 1535–45; work + horse

Example Sentences

"It is probably about going back to being a workhorse that doesn't miss and has high skill," he says.

From BBC

Land Rover vehicles have been a "trusted workhorse" for the British Armed Forces since their widespread adoption in the 1950s, the MoD said.

From BBC

“They’ve always been a workhorse in professional kitchens,” O’Brien added, “because of their depth of flavor and versatility.”

From The Wall Street Journal

With 16 Academy Award nominations for cinematography, he’s two away from tying the record shared by Leon Shamroy and Charles Lang, two workhorses of the classic studio era.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. guided-missile destroyers, the workhorse of the Navy, are also essential to the region’s missile defenses.

From The Wall Street Journal