Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
knuckle up en · VERB
Meanings
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(informal, qualifier:chiefly African-American Vernacular) To clench one's fist(s) as though in preparation for a fight.
With a resolve to get his son away from these monsters, Isaac knuckled up and mean-mugged his opponent.
2012, Vanessa Miller, Latter Rain:Tony stumbled a little and when he found his balance, he knuckled up and sent a jab toward Will's neck.
2012, Pink Maxwell, A Scorpion's Sting, page 209:
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(broadly, informal) To approach a problem aggressively.
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(slang) To strike or fight.
Forms