knuckle down

Related to knuckle down: out of whack, buckle down

knuckle down

To begin to work on something in a determined matter. If you want to get a passing grade this semester, you'll really need to knuckle down and study hard.
See also: down, knuckle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

knuckle down (to something)

Fig. to get busy doing something. I want you to knuckle down to your work and stop worrying about the past. Come on. Knuckle down. Get busy.
See also: down, knuckle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

knuckle down

1. Apply oneself seriously to some task or goal, as in The professor insisted that we knuckle down and get our papers in by Friday. Both this term and the rhyming synonym buckle down date from the 1860s, but the precise allusion in either is unclear.
2. See knuckle under.
See also: down, knuckle
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

knuckle down

v.
To apply oneself earnestly to a task: We've been relaxing too long—it's time for us to knuckle down and finish this work.
See also: down, knuckle
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

knuckle down

verb
See knuckle down to something
See also: down, knuckle
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

knuckle down

Apply yourself to the job at hand. The phrase comes from the game of marbles, one of the once-popular children's street games. Players shot their “shooter” marble by clenching the marble in a fist with knuckles touching the ground, then launching it with a flick of the thumb. When it was a player's turn and his attention was elsewhere, he was reminded, “Okay, knuckle down.” A similar phrase, “buckle down” most likely came from the idea of tightening your belt before performing an arduous task.
See also: down, knuckle
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • knuckle down to (do) (something)
  • knuckle down to something
  • break (one's) back to (do something)
  • go the knuckle
  • knuckle
  • by means of
  • by means of (something)
  • by means of something
  • break your back
  • break your back doing something/to do something
References in periodicals archive
'It's up to us to knuckle down now, though it will be tough as Europe has gone for the season.
Football: O'Neill issues rallying cry
Aiden's just got to knuckle down to try to get into Everton's first team, which is never easy because they've got a lot of quality players.
McGeady must face challenge; KEANE URGES WINGER TO FIGHT FOR HIS PLACE
Going to really knuckle down! Fresh start and a fresh challenge."
GRIFF: I'M BUZZING TO BE BACK
Bryan Robson has urged Robert Earnshaw to 'knuckle down' and demonstrate he can become Premiership quality at West Brom as he returns to the scene of one of his most memorable triumphs.
Warning for Earnie
"Every single player here wants to improve, with no exceptions, and I believe we will all knuckle down and do that under the new manager."
Football: SHOLA'S PROMISE
Cheryl should knuckle down to it and realise that in terms of public credibility she's skating on thin ice"and the sun is shining.
Cheryl needs to learn
Wolverhampton, without a win this season, will face a Bears team that is beginning to knuckle down to some hard work.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Bears want magic against the Wizards
The gelding, a third winner in the Royal colours for amateur Marcus Foley, looked a serious prospect when cruising to the front, and although he really had to knuckle down to repel Table Mountain by a length, trainer Nicky Henderson is in little doubt that he is a horse who will go places.
Ascot: First Love scores for Queen Mother
They have the performances down pat - they're tighter than a Ballymena money clip - so now they must knuckle down to writing.
Strypes can take it to new level of great
"It shows that we have massive character but in the dressing room we know that we can knuckle down and play if we have to, but people know what we are about now."
Swans show character
He needs to knuckle down and start repaying the faith Brendan Rodgers has shown in him.
Time to deliver Fab
"We've got to knuckle down and prove people wrong and hopefully we'll get a chance on Saturday to do that.
McDermott in frame for Molineux hotseat
The Hearts boss said: "Now he must knuckle down." Surely it was his knuckles that caused all the bother in the first place.
Jim's warning is fist class
"When you are not on top of the pile then you have to be honest enough to admit it and knuckle down to try and find the speed."
IN BRIEF: Renault too slow
He said: "There will be times when everything seems hopeless and you want to give up, but they are the times when you really need to knuckle down.
Football: `Be brave' says Larss