get cracking

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To begin a task quickly and with energy.

   Grammar: Used as a command or a statement and has no object: we must get cracking.

   Patterns

   • get cracking on something
   • get cracking with something

   If we want to finish by noon, we had better get cracking.

   The builders got cracking at seven in the morning.

   Come on, get cracking on the dishes before guests arrive.

Word forms

Common combinations

get cracking on the project

We need to get cracking on the project.

better get cracking

You had better get cracking or you will miss the deadline.

let's get cracking

Let's get cracking, the bus leaves soon.

get cracking with the cleaning

She got cracking with the cleaning.

time to get cracking

It is time to get cracking.

Synonyms and how they differ

get going

Get going is also informal but is milder and can simply mean to leave.

get a move on

Get a move on urges someone to hurry, while get cracking urges starting work.

start

Start is neutral and plain, and has none of the energetic, slightly bossy tone.

get to work

Get to work is clearer and a bit more formal.

Opposites

Word family

crack verb

to break or to make a sharp noise

cracking adjective

British informal word for excellent

crack on phrasal verb

to continue with energy

get going phrasal verb

to begin or leave

Commonly confused: get cracking or crack on?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “get cracking”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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