work like a nailer

Verb

 * 1)  To work very hard.
 * 2) * 1834 September, Craven, "Goodwood Races – Tuesday, July 29", The Sporting Magazine (London) s. 2, vol. 9, no. 53, p. 388
 * Boyce was working away like a nailer at His Grace's colt, an exertion he might have spared himself, but that it is necessary to do something for one's money