roll up one's sleeves
The phrase "roll up one's sleeves" originates from the literal act of preparing for physical labor by rolling up the sleeves of one's clothing.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)To prepare oneself to work hard or tackle a challenging task.
Example
- With the deadline approaching, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
- She rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning the entire house.
B2Physical Labor
(literal)To get ready for physical work by rolling up the sleeves of one's clothing.
Example
- Before starting the garden work, he rolled up his sleeves.
- The chef rolled up his sleeves before preparing the meal.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "roll up one's sleeves":
knuckle downtake off one's glovesput up one's dukesroll uptake up the cudgelssquare one's shouldersbrace upset to workpluck upsack upruck upget one's claws outgear upget stuck into