buckle down

British  

verb

1. informal (intr, adverb) to apply oneself with determination

   to buckle down to a job

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buckle down Idioms  

1. Set to work, apply oneself with determination, as in All right, we'll buckle down now and study for exams. Originating about 1700 as buckle to, the expression gained currency with the football song “Buckle-Down, Winsocki” (from the Broadway musical comedy Best Foot Forward, 1941). [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buckle down

“We’re just zoning in on that, and just the battle within ourselves. Like man we’ve gotta buckle down right, and we’ve gotta get this stuff done.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2025

“Let’s buckle down together, let’s remove barriers for each other and let’s go get it, all right?” he said to applause.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2025

We just got to buckle down, stick with each other and not let this break us apart.”

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 26, 2024

“That’s a time to buckle down more than any time in the game,” Gray said.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 17, 2023

Fern had just come out in Lockhart, and it was time to buckle down to the business of meeting bachelors.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly