Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

roll up one's sleeves

idiom

/roʊl ʌp wʌnz sliːvz/

Definition

To prepare oneself to work hard or to get involved in a task, typically by physically rolling up the sleeves of one’s shirt to signify readiness.

Examples

Before starting the new project, she decided to roll up her sleeves and dive in.
He rolled up his sleeves and got to work on the community garden.
When the team faced challenges, they rolled up their sleeves to find solutions together.

Meaning

The phrase suggests an intention to take on a challenging task or to be active in pursuing a goal, often associated with hard work and hands-on involvement.