grub

[/ɡrʌb/]
noun, verbpl: grubs
larva, comida
1. The larva of an insect, especially a beetle
The grub transformed into a beetle after several weeks.
A larva se transformou em um besouro após várias semanas.
2. Food (informal/slang)
Let's grab some grub after the movie.
Vamos pegar algo para comer depois do filme.
3. A person who works hard; a laborer
He was a grub, always digging through books for information.
Ele era um trabalhador incansável, sempre pesquisando em livros.
4. To dig or root around in soil or dirt
The pig grubbed in the mud for food.
O porco mexia na lama procurando comida.
5. To work hard; to toil
She grubbed away at her studies all night.
Ela trabalhou duro em seus estudos a noite toda.
In American English, 'grub' is a very common slang term for food, especially casual or street food. In Brazilian Portuguese, the biological meaning (larva) is standard, but the slang food meaning is not as prevalent. The word carries connotations of informal, hearty meals. 'Grub stake' historically refers to an advance of money or supplies to a prospector in exchange for a share of discoveries.
NYC Slang
grub = food (common in NYC hip-hop and street vernacular); 'Get some grub' = let's eat
Synonyms / Sinônimos
larvamaggotfoodchoweatsdigburrowtoil
Antonyms / Antônimos
restrelaxleisure

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
larva
Standard term for the insect stage
General Brazilian Portuguese
comida
Informal term for food, though less common than English usage
Portugal
larva
Same as Brazilian Portuguese for the insect; 'comida' for food context

Related Words

insectbeetlecaterpillarwormmetamorphosisdirtyscruffy

Related Idioms & Phrases

grub stake
from grub to grace
grub out
grub up
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