to get cracking
12
5.8
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
ponerse manos a la obra
- Doors close in ten minutes, so get cracking.
- Let's get cracking
- get cracking now
- better get cracking
That's right, as always, as always, let's get cracking, let's roll all the way back.
- That's right, as always, as always, let's get cracking, let's roll all the way back.
- So buckle in, put your cat ears on, and let's get cracking.
Examples
-
I need to get cracking on my list!
Blog text (16) -
Wake up and get cracking.
-
Something tells me we should get cracking.
-
Well, I better get cracking.
-
You have your class first thing in the morning, and I have to get cracking, too.
Fiction book (1990) -
Let's get cracking, shall we?
Fiction book (1997) -
Right, let's get cracking on these boxes or we'll never get out of here.
-
I really have to get cracking on mine before the family descends at Christmas.
Blog text (24) -
Let's get cracking, people.
Fiction book (1992) -
You have a lot of work to do, so get cracking and start writing that report.
Synonyms
481
1.8
To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting
422
2.3
To start doing something or to leave
62
1.6
Start being active or hurry to do something
36
3.5
To start moving or begin working on something
16
2.8
To start a meeting or project by taking the first step
11
4.4
To start working hard and seriously after wasting time
1
8.6
Hurry up and start doing something
Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy
To start doing something quickly
To start working quickly and seriously
To work quickly to finish many tasks in a short time
To make an effort to become active after doing nothing
Antonyms
How Quickly
Surface Forms
Morphology
get + cracking
The construction uses the productive pattern 'get + V-ing' meaning 'begin to [verb]', so a learner who recognises an action sense of 'crack/cracking' could infer 'start doing something'. However, 'cracking' in this set phrase is an informal, partly metaphorical British usage (not the adjective 'excellent' or the literal 'break'), so the precise sense 'begin quickly/energetically' is somewhat idiomatic and likely requires prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrase get cracking may come from the image of a driver cracking a whip to make horses or workers hurry, where the loud crack told people to move. So get cracking means to 'start' or 'act quickly'.