back-breaking

knochenharte Arbeit

Refers to any form of extremely demanding physical job or task.

Similar to 'work', but often implies manual, unskilled, and prolonged effort.

knochenharte Plackerei

More literary or formal than 'work' or 'labour', emphasizing the wearisome and unpleasant nature of the hard work.

Bezieht sich auf extrem harte und körperlich anstrengende Arbeit.