# crack on

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crack-on
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to continue briskly

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

to continue working on something quickly or with a lot of energy.

For teachers: to proceed with a task or activity at a brisk pace, often after a delay or interruption.

- We've had a long lunch, so we should probably crack on with the report now.
- The team decided to crack on with the renovations despite the rain, knowing that any further delay would push the project past its deadline.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and often followed by the preposition 'with'.

Teaching tip: This is very common in British workplaces and social settings to encourage efficiency. It sounds more energetic than simply 'continuing'.

## Examples

- We have a lot to do, so let's crack on.
- After a quick break for lunch, the team decided to crack on with the report to meet the deadline.
- Despite the initial setbacks and the complexity of the data, the researchers were determined to crack on until they found a viable solution.

## Usage notes

- 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).

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.