English · Phrasal verb Attested

knuckle up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To clench one's fist(s) as though in preparation for a fight.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Clench nắm tay như chuẩn bị đánh nhau

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

With a resolve to get his son away from these monsters, Isaac knuckled up and mean-mugged his opponent.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To approach a problem aggressively.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Tiếp cận vấn đề một cách hung hãn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To strike or fight.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đánh hoặc chiến đấu

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “knuckle up” mean?

To clench one's fist(s) as though in preparation for a fight.

Is “knuckle up” formal or informal?

knuckle up is generally informal.