knuckle down

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I had a word with myself after the first set - I needed to really knuckle down and focus and I knew his level wasn't really going to drop," Draper added.

From BBC • May 13, 2025

Those in my profession need to knuckle down and do real work.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

"Just really knuckle down, because we don’t want to be one of those teams that’s got to rearrange their schedule because we have COVID," King said.

From Fox News • Dec. 15, 2021

“So this is where I finally said, ‘It’s time to really knuckle down and start making the songs we put together, starting to build a songbook,’ ” says Thomson.

From Washington Post • Oct. 19, 2021

“I’ll tell you what. I’m going to try to make some money. If you knuckle down and pass examinations a year early, why, I’ll help you through college.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck