crack on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, spoken, colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “crack on” mean?
To continue doing something with energy and determination, especially after a pause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To continue doing something with energy and determination, especially after a pause.
To proceed or make progress with a task, often with a sense of urgency or focus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly a British and Commonwealth English idiom. In American English, it is very rarely used and would likely be misunderstood or sound foreign.
Connotations
In British English, it conveys a 'no-nonsense', pragmatic, and industrious attitude. Can sound slightly cheerful or encouraging.
Frequency
Very common in informal British English. Almost non-existent in American English, where 'get (back) to it', 'get a move on', 'get cracking', or 'plow on/through' would be used instead.
Grammar
How to Use “crack on” in a Sentence
[Subject] crack on.[Subject] crack on with [Noun Phrase/Object].Let's crack on.We should crack on.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crack on” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Right, the tea break's over. Let's crack on with painting the fence.
- If we crack on now, we can finish before it gets dark.
- He just put his head down and cracked on with the job.
American English
- Not used. An American might say: 'Alright, break's over. Let's get back to painting the fence.' or 'We should get a move on if we want to finish.'
adverb
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally in meetings or among colleagues: 'The report is due Friday, so we'd better crack on with the analysis.'
Academic
Very rare. Would be used only in extremely informal, spoken contexts between students (e.g., 'We've chatted enough; let's crack on with the lab report.').
Everyday
Very common for everyday tasks: 'This washing up won't do itself. Let's crack on.'
Technical
Unlikely.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crack on”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crack on”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crack on”
- Using it transitively without 'with' (e.g., 'I'll crack on the report' – INCRECT). Correct: 'I'll crack on with the report.'
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it in American English expecting to be understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is distinctly informal and colloquial. It is suitable for spoken language, informal emails among colleagues, but not for formal reports or academic writing.
It is not recommended. While it might be understood from context by some, it sounds very British and is not part of the standard American lexicon. Americans would say 'get (back) to work', 'get going', 'get a move on', or 'plow on'.
They are closely related. 'Get cracking' often means 'to start doing something energetically.' 'Crack on' more specifically means 'to continue doing something energetically' after a pause or delay, though it can also be used to initiate action.
No, there is no connection. This is a completely separate, traditional English phrasal verb related to the sense of 'crack' meaning a sharp sound or a burst of action. It predates the drug term by centuries.
To continue doing something with energy and determination, especially after a pause.
Crack on: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkræk ˈɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkræk ˈɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get cracking (related in meaning, but not identical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a whip CRACKing to make a horse start moving ON a journey. It signals it's time to move forward energetically.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS MOVEMENT FORWARD / WORK IS PHYSICAL LABOR (requiring a burst of energy to resume).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the phrasal verb 'crack on' most commonly and naturally used?