Definitions

buckle down

VERB

work very hard

Synonyms

WEAK

address apply oneself attend to bend concentrate on dedicate oneself to devote oneself to exert oneself get serious give give oneself over to keep close to keep one's mind on knuckle down launch into occupy oneself with pitch in plunge into put one's hand to the plow put one's nose to the grindstone set to swing into action take the bull by the horns throw turn

Antonyms

WEAK

be lazy ignore relax

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.

Investors and consumers need to buckle down and brace for a lot more volatility ahead—especially when it comes to oil prices.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

“We’re just zoning in on that, and just the battle within ourselves. Like man we’ve gotta buckle down right, and we’ve gotta get this stuff done.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

“Let’s buckle down together, let’s remove barriers for each other and let’s go get it, all right?” he said to applause.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 20, 2025

“That’s a time to buckle down more than any time in the game,” Gray said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2023

“I just got to buckle down and hit the books,” I said.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

buckle down

Example Sentences

Related Words