Desert people in the daily grind (3,4)
I believe the answer is:
rat race
I believe this is a double definition.
'desert people in' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the daily grind' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for rat race that I've seen before include "unhealthy competition" , "constant effort to get ahead" , "Hectic futile activity" , "Desert people in" , "Fiercely competitive working life" .)