roll up your sleeves

roll up (one's) sleeves

To do or get ready to do something difficult, intense, or demanding. Literally rolling up one's sleeves is often done before performing some kind of work. Well, we have a long day ahead, so let's roll up our sleeves and start! I know you're disappointed, but you need to roll up your sleeves and redouble your efforts.

See also: roll, sleeve, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

roll up your sleeves

If you roll up your sleeves, you get ready to work hard, often as part of a group of people. He was very much a team player, rolling up his sleeves and getting down to work. When others refused to act, Jamie was the first to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

See also: roll, sleeve, up

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

roll up your sleeves

prepare to fight or work.

See also: roll, sleeve, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

roll up your ˈsleeves

(informal) get ready for hard work: We’ve just moved into a bigger house and there’s a lot to do. I guess we’ll just have to roll up our sleeves and get on with it. OPPOSITE: put your feet up

See also: roll, sleeve, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017