Cool MateStrive vs You run your ass off
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Strive
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
You run your ass off
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: StriveMost common: Strive
| Strive | You run your ass off | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/straɪv/","/straɪvz/","/strəʊv/","/straɪvd/","/ˈstrɪvn/","/ˈstraɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ rʌn jɔːr æs ɒf//🇺🇸 //ju rʌn jʊr æs ɔf// |
| Meaning | To work hard to achieve something. | You work very hard. |
| Example | We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. | I really need to run my ass off to finish this project on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hard, mightily, desperately, after, against, for | run your ass off, work your ass off, hustle your ass off, try your ass off, put your ass on the line |
| Antonyms | relax, surrender, give up | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Strive' is often confused with 'strive for'; remember it needs 'to' before a verb., Some learners use 'strived' as the past tense, but it's 'strove' or 'strived' depending on context., Mixing up 'strive' with 'thrive' due to similar sounds. | Misusing in formal contexts where 'work hard' is better, Confusing with 'run' in the physical sense, Omitting 'your ass off' and saying just 'run hard' |
| Usage notes | Use 'strive' in contexts where you want to emphasize effort towards a goal. It's appropriate in both formal and informal situations but may sound overly dramatic for casual conversations. | This phrase is very casual and more suitable in informal settings, like conversations with friends. It's not appropriate in formal writing or professional environments. |
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Frequently asked questions: Strive vs You run your ass off
What's the difference between Strive and You run your ass off?
Strive: To work hard to achieve something. You run your ass off: You work very hard.
Which is more formal: Strive and You run your ass off?
Strive is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Strive and You run your ass off?
Strive is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Strive: We encourage all members to strive for the highest standards. You run your ass off: I really need to run my ass off to finish this project on time.
Can I use Strive and You run your ass off interchangeably?
Not always. Strive and You run your ass off are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.