ENGLISH
REFERENCE

crack on

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to continue doing something with energy or to start a task that you have been waiting to do.

phr. v.. to proceed with a task or activity, often with renewed vigor or after a delay; primarily used in British English to indicate industrious continuation.


SIMPLE

We have a lot to do, so let's crack on.

CONTEXTUAL

After a quick break for lunch, the team decided to crack on with the report to meet the deadline.

COMPLEX

Despite the initial setbacks and the complexity of the data, the researchers were determined to crack on until they found a viable solution.

Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
crack + on (+ with + object)
Usage

often followed by the preposition 'with' when an object is present.

Teaching tip

this is a common British colloquialism; contrast it with 'get a move on' (which focuses on speed) versus 'crack on' (which focuses on the work itself).

Pitfall

I need to crack on the homework.I need to crack on with the homework.when you mention the specific task, you must use the preposition 'with' after the particle 'on'.

© 2026 English Reference