bolted on to plenty of skill

[Maybo]

They were tested in both in their different ways - England with the attacking threat they had, and Morocco with their sheer refusal to buckle in adversity bolted on to plenty of skill, but they have come out the other side successfully.
(France win over Morocco sets up Messi-Mbappe duel many craved by Phil McNulty)

Why do we need "to"?

 

[Barque]

It shows the connection. They were linked to each other. That's how it's normally written.

 

[Tarheel]

I believe the "to'" was somehow left out of "buckle in to adversity".

 

[Barque]

I'd normally expect "buckle under adversity" but I think here the writer meant "buckle in [a situation of] adversity".

 

[5jj]

I believe the "two'" was somehow left out of "buckle in to adversity".

That makes no sense.

The team refused to buckle in (times of) adversity. There is no 'to' or 'two' missing.

 

[Maybo]

I found “bolt on” and “bolt to” in the dictionary. Are they combined?

 

[Barque]

What do you mean by "combined"? It depends on context.

The doors were bolted on. This means the doors were fastened to the wall/sides of the doorway with bolts. It doesn't mention what the doors were attached to and therefore doesn't use "bolted on to" because it's obvious what the doors are attached to.

Note that this use of "bolted on" is different from "The doors were bolted" which would mean that the doors were shut and the bolts used to keep the doors closed were in use.

 

[Maybo]

What do you mean by "combined"? It depends on context.

Bolt on + to


What’s the difference between “bolt on to” and “bolt to”?
… a wooden bench which was bolted to the floor. (From Collins dictionary)

Can I say “bolted on to”? Do they mean the same?

 

[Barque]

Can I say “bolted on to”? Do they mean the same?

I wouldn't use "on" in the sentence about benches bolted to the floor. I'd leave it as it is.

What’s the difference between “bolt on to” and “bolt to”?

It's one of those things where I go by feel. In the original, where "bolted" is used figuratively of course, the "on" emphasises that the two things are joined together.

Maybe someone else will explain the difference better.

 

[emsr2d2]

The brackets are bolted on.
What are they bolted on to?
They are bolted on to the wall.

The table legs are bolted on.
What are they bolted to?
They are bolted to the floor.