stick at
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Financial, Encyclopedia.
stick at
1. To continue trying to do or achieve something, especially after initial failures, challenges, or setbacks. Used especially in the phrase "stick at it." If you really want to become a comic book artist, you have to stick at it! You can't just give up after your first rejection. I'm really glad I stuck at this book—it was a bit arduous at times, but it was really interesting overall!
2. To do whatever it takes to accomplish a task or goal; to refuse to allow anything to impede one from doing or achieving something. Used exclusively in the phrase "stick at nothing." They made it clear that they would stick at nothing to recoup the cost of their investment. She's the type of woman who will stick at nothing to get what she wants from life.
See also: stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
stick at something
to keep trying to do something; to stay on a task or job. I hope he can stick at this job. He doesn't seem to be able to stick at anything for very long.
See also: stick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
stick at
Scruple or hesitate, as in She sticks at nothing to gain her ends. This idiom, nearly always used in a negative context, was first recorded in 1525. Also see stop at nothing.
See also: stick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.