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Glite Dictionary
to get on the stick

to get on the stick

1 9.7
To start working hard without delay
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : ponerse las pilas
  • I just keep getting directed to this blog, so someone better get on the stick and fix that immediately!

Examples

  • Come on, get on the stick.

    The Thing Called Love (1993)

  • Well, get on the stick, will you?

    Skyjacked (1972)

  • We can turn this around, but you need to get on the stick and send.

    Blog text (26)

  • She assured me John would "get on the stick."

    Academic text (1991)

  • If we want to meet the deadline, you need to get on the stick and start working on the report.

  • The manager told the team to get on the stick and address the customer complaints quickly.

  • After a long discussion, the coach urged the players to get on the stick and practice harder for the upcoming match.

Synonyms

to get to work
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
231 2.0

To start doing your job, often after a delay

adds the idea of serious, sustained working rather than simple task start
to get on with
vsto get on the stick
168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

specifically means initiating firm, timely action after inactivity rather than resuming
to get moving
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
62 1.6

Start being active or hurry to do something

implies beginning deliberate, sustained work rather than just quick movement
to get a move on
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
40 3.4

Hurry and start moving faster

denotes taking up steady, diligent work after delay rather than only speeding up
to get rolling
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
36 3.5

To start moving or begin working on something

emphasizes starting focused, diligent effort after delay rather than broad initiation
to get the ball rolling
vsto get on the stick
16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

covers starting purposeful work after delay rather than just initiating an event
to get it on
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
10 7.8

To begin an activity with energy

focuses more on serious, continued effort after inactivity rather than general enthusiasm
to get stuck in
vsto get on the stick
  • UK
2 5.8

To start a task with energy and eagerness

implies persistent, disciplined work after delay rather than just eagerness
to put one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto get on the stick
  • Informal
2 7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

is about starting diligent action after delay but less about steady heavy work
to get one's finger out
vsto get on the stick
  • UK
1 9.9

To start working or trying harder after putting things off

means beginning diligent action after delay but with milder tone
to get off the mark
vsto get on the stick
1 5.5

To start making progress after a time of little or no activity

focuses on starting diligent work rather than merely making first progress
to get your ass in gear
vsto get on the stick
  • Offensive
9.9

To start working quickly and seriously

starts action after delay but is slightly less blunt about urgency
to pull one's finger out
vsto get on the stick
  • UK
9.3

To start working hard after not doing much

describes starting diligent work after delay without the same colloquial push

Antonyms

to procrastinate
26 6.5

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

to idle
1 3.2

To spend time doing nothing

How Prompt

to get to work
  • Informal
231 2.0
to get on the stick
  • Informal
1 9.7
to hesitate
318 2.5

Surface Forms

get on the stick infinitive
got on the stick past
got on the stick past participle
getting on the stick present participle
gets on the stick third person singular

Morphology

get + on + the + stick

Although 'get' and 'on' have basic meanings that can indicate motion or beginning, the noun 'stick' here is used idiomatically and does not contribute a literal, compositional sense that would allow a learner to derive 'begin taking action' from the parts. The phrase is a colloquial idiom whose meaning relies on conventional use rather than transparent composition, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would likely not predict the intended sense.

Etymology

Get on the stick may come from old cars and planes, where you had to move a control stick to make the machine go. So 'get on the stick' came to mean 'start taking action' or 'begin working'.