Phrase guide

buckle down

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To apply oneself to study, or a task or work; to focus on or take a serious attitude towards something; to put forth the needed effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • If he would buckle down and do his homework, he could be an excellent student.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: buckle to

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

work very hard, like a slave

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: slave, break one's back, knuckle down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: work, do work

History

Etymology

From buckle + down.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: se concentrer — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Italian: mettersi sotto a — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Polish: przykładać się — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Polish: przyłożyć się — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Polish: przysiadać do — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Polish: przysiąść do — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Russian: заня́ться (zanjátʹsja) — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work
  • Swedish: lägga manken till — to apply oneself to study, or a task or work