up and at 'em

Idioms  

1. Get going, get busy, as in Up and at 'em—there's a lot of work to be done. This colloquial idiom, often uttered as a command, uses at 'em (for “at them”) in the general sense of tackling a project, and not in reference to specific persons.

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Example Sentences

The Utah Utes got up and at 'em early — courtesy of a blaring fire alarm at their hotel.

From Fox News • Dec. 12, 2020

And what a relief it was to see him up and at ’em.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2016

I can tweet before going to bed at midnight or 1 and know that they’re up and at ’em, and they’re going to have to respond.”

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2010

Portland, Oregon--The new modern agenda in layering is all the way live. Shelterlayering.com is up and at 'em on the interweb.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Thank ye, sir; thank ye,” said Toby, his voice growing weaker every moment; “I’ll be up and at ’em again directly.

From Marmaduke Merry A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone Days by Kingston, William Henry Giles