Get cracking

Meaning

The idiom "get cracking" means to start working or doing something immediately, without any delay or procrastination. It suggests that the speaker is urging someone to begin a task or activity that they have been putting off for too long.

Usage

• My manager always expects us to get cracking as soon as we arrive at work in the morning.
• I told my friend to get cracking on his project if he wants to finish it before the deadline.
• The team is getting cracking on the new software update and it should be ready for release soon.
• My family gets cracking during holiday time when we all gather together for cooking and fun.
• After months of planning, the band finally got cracking with their first gig last night. The usage of the idiom "get cracking" can vary depending on the context. It can be used to encourage someone to start working on a specific task or activity, but it can also be used more generally to suggest that someone should get started on something they have been putting off for too long. Additionally, the intensity or urgency of the idiom may vary based on the speaker's tone and the context in which it is used.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "get cracking" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of cracking nuts with a hammer or other tool, as a way of encouraging someone to start working on something immediately. Another theory suggests that it comes from the idea of breaking a task down into smaller, manageable pieces and getting started on each one, similar to cracking an egg into a frying pan. Over time, the meaning and usage of the idiom may have evolved slightly, but its basic meaning of urging someone to start working immediately remains consistent.

Synonyms in English

• Get going
• Let's get started
• We should start now
• The ball is in your court
• Now's the time to act

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Empecemos ahora" - This literally means "let's begin now". It is a direct translation of the English idiom and can be used similarly.
• French: "Commencez-nous" - This also means "let's begin", but it has a more formal connotation than the Spanish equivalent.
• German: "Fertig werde" - This literally means "make yourself ready". It is often used to encourage someone to start working on something, and can be similar in meaning to the English idiom.
• Italian: "Andiamo a fare il lavoro" - This literally means "let's go do some work". It is a direct translation of the English idiom and can be used similarly.
• Japanese: "始めましょう" - This means "let's start" or "begin". It is often used to encourage someone to start working on something, and can be similar in meaning to the English idiom.

Similar Idioms

• sleep tight

• give the slip

• go by the book