pull one's socks up

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pull one's socks up (third-person singular simple present pulls one's socks up, present participle pulling one's socks up, simple past and past participle pulled one's socks up)

1. (idiomatic) To start making an effort; to renew or redouble one's efforts.

   Alternative form: pull up one's socks

   • 2000 October 20, Jeff Zillgitt, “U.S. dominates first day of Presidents Cup”, in USA Today, retrieved 30 September 2008:

     They're all going to pull their socks up and play a bit better.

• belly up to the bar, get one's act together, knuckle down, roll up one's sleeves, shape up