Knuckle down
/ˈnʌk.əl daʊn/
Definition
The meaning: Knuckle down means to start working hard, especially when there's a deadline or a lot of work to be done.
La signification: Cette expression signifie commencer à travailler dur, en particulier lorsqu'il y a une date limite ou beaucoup de travail à accomplir.
Note: This phrase is often used to encourage focus and determination in completing a task. There's another phrase, 'knuckle under,' which means to submit or yield under pressure. While knuckle down is about applying effort, knuckle under is about being forced into submission—opposite energies with similar structures.
Before continuing, watch this short video.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Se mettre au travail
» Travailler d'arrache-pied
» S'atteler à la tâche
» S’y mettre
A: Il faut que je me mette à étudier pour l'examen.
B: Oui, il est temps de s'atteler à cette tâche !
English synonyms
» Get to work
» Buckle down
» Focus and grind
» Beaver away
» Roll up your sleeves
A: I have a huge project due tomorrow.
B: Time to knuckle down and finish it!
Example Dialogue
Puleng: "The deadline is coming up fast. We need to finish this project." Teboho: "Yeah, it's time to knuckle down and get it done." Puleng: "I know. No more distractions!" Teboho: "Let's stay focused and power through it."
Etymology
Origin: The phrase "knuckle down" originates from 19th-century British English, likely from the game of marbles, where players had to put their knuckles to the ground before shooting. Over time, it came to mean applying serious effort to a task.
Audience
The phrase "knuckle down" is commonly used in both professional and casual settings to emphasize the need for hard work and focus, especially when facing deadlines or important tasks.
When to use: Use this phrase when encouraging someone to concentrate and work diligently on a task. For example: "We have a lot to do before the deadline, so it's time to knuckle down." It is suitable for workplace discussions, academic settings, and motivational conversations.
Dictionary Meaning
Cambridge says the phrasal verb means "to start working or studying hard." Here's an example of use:
"You're going to have to really knuckle down (to your work) if you want to pass your final exams."
News Snippet
"The firemen needed to proceed with caution, looking out for areas where the floor was unstable or rooms that might 'flash', which is when all the combustibles in a room hit a certain ignition point and catch fire at the same time, said Swanepoel.
'You kick into overdrive,' said De Lange, adding that he and his team are always ready to knuckle down and do what they need to do at the scene of a fire."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
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Common Idioms & Expressions
Knuckle down: To apply oneself seriously and diligently to a task.
Example: "With exams approaching, she decided to knuckle down and study every night."
Get down to brass tacks: To focus on the essential or practical details of a matter.
Example: "Let's get down to brass tacks and discuss the budget."
Put one's shoulder to the wheel: To apply oneself energetically to a task.
Example: "If we all put our shoulders to the wheel, we can finish the project on time."
Roll up one's sleeves: To prepare to work hard.
Example: "It's time to roll up our sleeves and get this job done."
Get one's head down: To concentrate on one's work without distraction.
Example: "He decided to get his head down and finish the report before the deadline."
Buckle down: Similar to 'knuckle down,' meaning to apply oneself seriously.
Example: "It's time to buckle down and focus on our studies."
Apply oneself: To make a determined effort.
Example: "If you apply yourself, you can achieve anything."
Get stuck in: To start doing something with enthusiasm and determination.
Example: "Let's get stuck in and finish this task quickly."
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