pep talk

American  

noun

1. a vigorous, emotional talk, as to a person or group, intended to arouse enthusiasm, increase determination to succeed, etc..

   The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game.

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pep talk British  

noun

1. informal an enthusiastic talk designed to increase confidence, production, cooperation, etc

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Etymology

Origin of pep talk

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The pep talk focused his mind and inspired him to battle through the pain barrier for the remaining six races.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Tennis great Roger Federer even invited Shiffrin and her mother, Eileen, to his Swiss mountain home to give her a pep talk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Cady also was the high school coach in Northern California for Oaks Christian coach Mark Amaral and recently dropped by to give a pep talk to the Oaks Christian players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Later, after a crisis at work ends with the police being called and a pep talk from her therapist in Linda’s office, she blurts out a soft, “I love you” as he walks away.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2025

Harry hardly heard a word of Wood’s pep talk as he pulled on his Quidditch robes and picked up his Nimbus Two Thousand.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling