as in to buckle (down)
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Recent Examples of knuckle down
After a 3-1 defeat at Fulham in September, Howe pulled Isak aside and told him to knuckle down.
—
George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
European countries need to knuckle down and increase their military capabilities while Russia is still dedicating a chunk of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's defense minister has said.
—Ellie Cook — Reporting From Prague, Czech Republic, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
There is every chance Pepi may decide to knuckle down and keep pushing De Jong, as PSV chase a successful defense of their title and progress in the Champions League.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Bunnie is knuckling down to help women escaping domestic violence.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
European countries need to knuckle down and increase their military capabilities while Russia is still dedicating a chunk of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's defense minister has said.
—Ellie Cook — Reporting From Prague, Czech Republic, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
There is every chance Pepi may decide to knuckle down and keep pushing De Jong, as PSV chase a successful defense of their title and progress in the Champions League.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
Bunnie is knuckling down to help women escaping domestic violence.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle down
Verb
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Nardi was a steady high-leverage reliever early in his Miami tenure but struggled in 2024 and did not pitch in 2025 while dealing with a back injury.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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The town will only have to pitch in $45,000 as a match for the Community Crossing grant the town received from the state.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Inside, dig in to reveal a cheesy layer hidden beneath the topping.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
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After all, the sessions are full of everything a developing brain needs — kids play with fun gardening tools, dig in dirt without getting in trouble and run rampant around an open farm.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20down. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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