buckle down
phrasal verb
buckled down; buckling down; buckles down
informal
: to start to work hard
You had better buckle down if you want to get good grades.
Examples of buckle down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After allowing the Saints to score on all four of their first-half drives, this Patriots defense, led by linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, buckled down in the second half.
—
Chad Graff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
At that point, Fonseca really seemed to buckle down — and amp up the power — and managed to win the second set in convincing fashion 6-3.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Airport shelves are lined with books telling women to buckle down, change your attitude, and work harder.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Leading 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack allowed a couple of strong drives from the Pirates before buckling down and pulling out the victory.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buckle down
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Chad Graff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
At that point, Fonseca really seemed to buckle down — and amp up the power — and managed to win the second set in convincing fashion 6-3.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Airport shelves are lined with books telling women to buckle down, change your attitude, and work harder.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Leading 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack allowed a couple of strong drives from the Pirates before buckling down and pulling out the victory.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buckle down
Cite this Entry
“Buckle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckle%20down. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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