Buckle down
= start to work seriously
We'll buckle down to start the project.
- buckle
- a flat, typically rectangular frame with a hinged pin, used for joining the ends of a belt or strap.
(as a verb) fasten or decorate with a buckle.
As you know, buckle means a seat belt. "buckle up" means just putting on a seat belt as it is.
Refs
- All Clear 3, Helen Kalkstein Fragiadakis
pv, 14-06-05 19:32, 14-06-05 19:32, Yosei