Rule reminder
The same string of words can be literal in one context and idiomatic in another. 'Ha portato avanti il progetto' (carried the project forward) is almost always idiomatic (continued working on it). But 'ha portato avanti la sedia' (carried the chair forward) is literal. Context — especially whether the words make logical physical sense — is your guide.
"Nonostante lavorasse sodo tutto il giorno, il suo stipendio non cresceva mai." How is 'lavorare sodo' used here?