pull one's socks up
To start making an effort; to renew or redouble one's efforts.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You need to pull your socks up if you want to pass.”
“The manager told the team they must pull their socks up to meet the new deadline.”
“Realizing his grades were slipping, he decided to pull his socks up and dedicate his evenings to serious study.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 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”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026