knuckle down

knuck·le  (nkl)

n.

1.

a. The prominence of the dorsal aspect of a joint of a finger, especially of one of the joints connecting the fingers to the hand.

b. A rounded protuberance formed by the bones in a joint.

2. A cut of meat centering on the carpal or tarsal joint, as of a pig.

3. The part of a hinge through which the pin passes.

4. A sharp angle formed by the meeting of two surfaces, especially two ship's timbers.

5. knuckles Brass knuckles.

tr.v. knuck·led, knuck·ling, knuck·les

1. To press, rub, or hit with the knuckles.

2. To shoot (a marble) with the thumb over the bent forefinger.

Phrasal Verbs:

knuckle down

To apply oneself earnestly to a task.

knuckle under

To yield to pressure; give in.

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[Middle English knokel.]

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knuckle down

Verb

[-ling, -led] Informal to apply oneself conscientiously: he's never been able to knuckle down and study anything for long

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

knuckle down - work very hard, like a slave break one's back, buckle down, slave do work, work - be employed; "Is your husband working again?"; "My wife never worked"; "Do you want to work after the age of 60?"; "She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money"; "She works as a waitress to put herself through college"