ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get one's skates on

idiom
Meaning

To start doing something quickly; to stop procrastinating; to hurry up.


Examples
SIMPLE

Get your skates on, or we will miss the bus.

CONTEXTUAL

We need to get our skates on if we want to finish this project before the deadline.

COMPLEX

Realizing the train was departing in minutes, he urged his colleagues to get their skates on so they would not be stranded at the station.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated July 12, 2026