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Sure he's a nice guy, but don't you think he's too much of a grind?

Would you please explain what too much of a grind means?

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  • Possible duplicate: ell.stackexchange.com/q/18770/3281. – Damkerng T. Apr 11 '14 at 13:10
  • @DamkerngT. That's not a duplicate. This question is asking what the phrase means; that one is asking whether to use "too much" or "very much". – starsplusplus Apr 11 '14 at 13:52
  • @starsplusplus Agree. Perhaps I should have said related. However, the phrase "too much" was mentioned and asked there, "very much a grind" was asked there, and yet nobody seemed to answer 'What does "very much (of) a grind" mean?'; though, arguably, looking it up in a dictionary would answer such a question. – Damkerng T. Apr 11 '14 at 13:56
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Too much of a grind probably means he's too boring, because he's too studious. Though he is a nice guy, he's always into study and that's why he's boring.

Yes, it's here. Note that the use is informal.

grind (n) - a person who spends too much time working or studying

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  • You might also want to include the use of the word as applied to a task or activity. The daily grind refers to going to work at a thankless occupation, and "grinding for levels/points/drops" is a common theme in online games. It wasn't directly asked in the question, but it's relevant. – Jonathan Garber Apr 11 '14 at 14:42
  • What does grinding for levels/points/drops" is a common theme in online games mean? – nima Apr 11 '14 at 18:28
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    I think you've got it the wrong way around. It's not that "he" grinds away at his tasks - it's that the speaker finds being with that person grinding, boringly oppressive. If he did want to convey the sense you set out, it would probably be expressed as "he's such a grinder" (but that usage isn't particularly common). – FumbleFingers Apr 11 '14 at 19:12
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    @nima_persian: It refers to the common situation where a player can repeat an action in order to gain a small benefit. In a number of online games, it is possible to repeatedly pick fruit/vegetables, or kill weak monsters, in order to accumulate money or loot. (A real-life parallel example would be a fruit picker. The job involves climbing a tree, filling a basket with fruit, climbing down, walking to the storage area, emptying the basket, and going back out for another load.) Wikipedia has an article on the phenomenon. – Jonathan Garber Apr 11 '14 at 19:41
  • A down vote. What did I do? ;) – Maulik V♦ Apr 12 '14 at 1:56
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In the US, someone is "too much of a grind" if they are difficult/irritating/annoying or it otherwise takes an effort enjoy yourself if they're around.

"grinder" is very different and can refer to something from a sandwich to more 'mature' topics.

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