Skip to main content

Pull your socks up

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

24 July 2026

Pull your socks up

We use this expression to say that somebody needs to perform better in work, studies or sport

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

That's the third time in a month that Tobias has been more than an hour late for work.

I know. If he doesn't pull his socks up, he'll probably get fired.

Example 2

Charlie, we're really disappointed with your most recent exam results.

Yes Dad I know. I'm sorry. I really need to pull my socks up in the autumn term

Find more phrases

Previous Day
Next Day
Today's Phrase
Apr2026
29