Pull your socks up
phrase
To improve oneself, especially in response to criticism or failure.
You need to pull your socks up if you want to keep your job.
Often appears as...
- needs to pull his socks up
- urgent need to pull your socks up
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To make an effort to improve one's situation or status.
If you want a promotion, you need to pull your socks up.
Often appears as...
- time to pull your socks up
- pull his socks up and work harder
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
phrase
To increase one's effort or determination in achieving something.
They pulled their socks up in the second half of the game, and won.
Often appears as...
- pulling her socks up for the final
- team pulled their socks up
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
phrase
To improve oneself, especially in response to criticism or failure.
You need to pull your socks up if you want to keep your job.
Often appears as...
- needs to pull his socks up
- urgent need to pull your socks up
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
To make an effort to improve one's situation or status.
If you want a promotion, you need to pull your socks up.
Often appears as...
- time to pull your socks up
- pull his socks up and work harder
Usage tips
Neutral
Idiomatic
phrase
To increase one's effort or determination in achieving something.
They pulled their socks up in the second half of the game, and won.
Often appears as...
- pulling her socks up for the final
- team pulled their socks up
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Workplace Motivation
Often used by managers to encourage better performance in a professional setting.
The manager said I need to pull my socks up to meet my sales targets.
Pro Tip 2/3After Failure
Commonly expressed after an individual has not met expectations or experienced failure.
After failing the first test, I really have to pull my socks up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
This idiom does not involve physically adjusting socks; it's about personal improvement.
He's literally pulling up his socks but we meant he should study more.
Pro Tip 1/3Workplace Motivation
Often used by managers to encourage better performance in a professional setting.
The manager said I need to pull my socks up to meet my sales targets.
Pro Tip 2/3After Failure
Commonly expressed after an individual has not met expectations or experienced failure.
After failing the first test, I really have to pull my socks up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
This idiom does not involve physically adjusting socks; it's about personal improvement.
He's literally pulling up his socks but we meant he should study more.
Pro Tip 1/3Workplace Motivation
Often used by managers to encourage better performance in a professional setting.
The manager said I need to pull my socks up to meet my sales targets.
Pro Tip 2/3After Failure
Commonly expressed after an individual has not met expectations or experienced failure.
After failing the first test, I really have to pull my socks up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
This idiom does not involve physically adjusting socks; it's about personal improvement.
He's literally pulling up his socks but we meant he should study more.
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