First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper
Pep is a high spirited kind of energy. It takes a lot of pep (and pom-poms) to be a cheerleader. Watching a school play in which the actors are full of pep is a lot more fun than seeing lethargic performers halfheartedly go through the motions. After a good night's sleep and a cup of tea, you might have plenty of pep to start your day — but it might take your older sister longer to truly wake up. Pep first appeared in 1912, as a shortened form of pepper, which once meant "moxie" or "gusto."
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Another Spaniard, Pep Guardiola, even used Iraola's side as an example of "modern football" last year.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
Nico Gonzalez, who missed out on a place in the Spain squad for the World Cup and also fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola last season, may depart if the right offer comes in.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
Head coach Luis Enrique follows in the footsteps of Bob Paisley, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane in becoming just the fifth manager to win three Champions League/European Cup titles.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
Alternatives include Manchester City - who are expected to appoint former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor in the coming days - but their priority is signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
The entire front plate glass window of Pep Boys was blown out.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
