Phrasal verb
knuckle down
Definition
phrasal verb. to start working very hard on a task that you need to finish. You use this when you stop being lazy and focus on your work.
phrasal verb. To apply oneself seriously and vigorously to a task. The verb is intransitive, though it frequently takes a prepositional phrase starting with 'to' to indicate the object of focus.
Examples
“I really need to knuckle down and finish this report.”
“With the final exams only a week away, the students finally decided to knuckle down and study in the library.”
“The research department had to knuckle down to meet the stringent requirements of the grant application before the midnight deadline.”
Examples
simple
“I really need to knuckle down and finish this report.”
contextual
“With the final exams only a week away, the students finally decided to knuckle down and study in the library.”
complex
“The research department had to knuckle down to meet the stringent requirements of the grant application before the midnight deadline.”
Usage
Usually used when someone has been procrastinating or needs to work harder than usual.
Teaching tip
The phrase likely comes from the game of marbles, where players put their knuckles down on the ground to take a steady shot.
Pitfall
He knuckled down his studies.
He knuckled down to his studies.
The verb is intransitive and requires the preposition 'to' before an object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
knuckle + down (+ to + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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