English idiom

get cracking

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to start doing something quickly and energetically

Why this phrase?

Nothing actually cracks; it means to begin promptly.

Example

“We have a lot to do, so let's get cracking.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

in the early days

during the beginning stages of something

it's early days

it is too soon to know how something will turn out

bright and early

at the very start of the morning

early bird

someone who prefers beginning the day before most other people

hang on a minute

used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection

so far so good

used to say that things have gone well up to now

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown