idioms involving “crack”

Take a crack at something

To attempt something difficult or challenging

“Okada-san has never written a novel but she wants to take a crack at it.”

Not all it is cracked up to be

Not as good as people say it is

“The new opera was good but it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”

Get cracking

To start working quickly

“If we have to finish the movie shoot by Friday, we are going to have to get cracking.”

Slip through the cracks

To be failed by the system that was supposed to help

“Our school is good with very bright kids but those who need help with their studies seem to slip through the cracks.”

Paper over the cracks

To try to hide the problems

“We can’t just paper over the cracks; we need to reorganize the entire operation.”