phrasal verb (informal) · informal

get cracking

/ɡet ˈkrækɪŋ/get CRACK·ing

speaking

to start doing something quickly and with energy

Examples

We'd better get cracking if we want to finish by noon.

The teacher told the students to get cracking on the group project.

I've got to get cracking — the bus leaves in ten minutes.

Band 8 sentence

We only have two hours, so let's get cracking and divide the tasks straight away.

Collocations

  • get cracking on sth
  • get cracking with sth

Word family

get cracking (present) phrasal verbgot cracking (colloquial past) phrasal verb

Common mistakes

We should start cracking now.We should get cracking now.

Let's cracking on the project.Let's get cracking on the project.

Say it for a higher band

5start6get started7+get cracking

Synonyms

get started

get going

Easily confused

get going

We should get going if we don't want to be late.

get started

Let's get started on the assignment after lunch.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In get …

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