roll up your sleeves

roll up (one's) sleeves

To do or get ready to do something difficult, intense, or demanding. Literally rolling up one's sleeves is often done before performing some kind of work. Well, we have a long day ahead, so let's roll up our sleeves and start! I know you're disappointed, but you need to roll up your sleeves and redouble your efforts.
See also: roll, sleeve, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

roll up your sleeves

If you roll up your sleeves, you get ready to work hard, often as part of a group of people. He was very much a team player, rolling up his sleeves and getting down to work. When others refused to act, Jamie was the first to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
See also: roll, sleeve, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

roll up your sleeves

prepare to fight or work.
See also: roll, sleeve, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

roll up your ˈsleeves

(informal) get ready for hard work: We’ve just moved into a bigger house and there’s a lot to do. I guess we’ll just have to roll up our sleeves and get on with it. OPPOSITE: put your feet up
See also: roll, sleeve, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • roll up (one's) sleeves
  • roll up one's sleeves
  • roll (one's) sleeves up
  • roll sleeves up
  • be scratching (one's) head
  • be scratching your head
  • literally
  • big boned
  • cover (one's) tracks (up)
  • cover one's tracks
References in periodicals archive
In my experience, when you roll up your sleeves, you look slimmer.
President Duterte's rolled-up Sona 'barong' sleeves-aye or nay? Designers speak up
So roll up your sleeves and get ready to roll up your tortilla.
Tortilla with a twist. (Right Stuff)
He also reported on his results at our October meeting, Medical Management of Endurance Events, and will be continuing his research at the April meeting (so be prepared to roll up your sleeves).
Boston research results. (Member News)