kept one's nose the grindstone (verb) keep one's nose to the grindstone: work doggedly
Sinonime: arresting, averting, balking, checking,
conservative, coping with, defending, foiling, forestalling, frustrating, guarding, in opposition, interrupting,
opposing, preservative, preventive, protecting, resistive, safeguarding, thwarting,
uptight*, warding off, withstanding
Antonime: undefensive, unprotective, unwary, unwatchful