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bone down

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

In simple words

To start working really hard and not stop.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

To apply oneself seriously and work diligently at a task.

"If you want to pass the exams, you need to bone down and stop wasting time."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Uncommon and may be considered a dialectal or dated variant of 'buckle down' or 'knuckle down'. Some speakers may not recognise it. Learners are advised to use 'buckle down' or 'knuckle down' instead.

Commonly used with

work task study job revision

Forms

Base

bone down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

bones down

he/she/it

Past simple

boned down

yesterday

Past participle

boned down

have + pp

-ing form

boning down

continuous

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Synonyms

buckle down knuckle down get to work apply yourself get down to it focus

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