cheer up

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle up

Meanings

1

Become happier or less miserable

Increase

Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.

“She cheered up the moment she saw the dog.”
She became noticeably happier the moment she saw the dog.
“The child cheered up when the sun came out.”
The child became noticeably happier when the sun came out.
“I always cheer up on a sunny day.”
My mood always lifts on a sunny day.
2

Make someone else happier

Increase
“I bought flowers to cheer her up.”
I bought flowers to lift her mood.
“His joke cheered up the whole room.”
His joke lifted the mood of the whole room.
“Let's go round and cheer them up.”
Let's visit them and try to lift their spirits.
3

(imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement

Increaseuncommon
“Cheer up. It's not the end of the world.”
Stop being sad. It's not the end of the world.
“She told him to cheer up after the bad news.”
She told him to stop being sad after the bad news.
“Oh, cheer up! You look so glum.”
Oh, look happier! You look so glum.

Test yourself

“She cheered up the moment she saw the dog.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

back up

Same up pattern: increase

Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked

beef up

Same up pattern: increase

Strengthen or reinforce

blow up

Same up pattern: increase

Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious

build up

Same up pattern: increase

Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event

dress up

Same up pattern: increase

Put on smart or formal clothes; Wear a costume, often imitating someone or something; Make something look more attractive or impressive than it is

get up

Same up pattern: increase

Rise from bed or a seat; Move to a standing position; Increase in strength

go up

Same up pattern: increase

Rise in price or amount

grow up

Same up pattern: increase

Reach adulthood; mature

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