perk up
Britishverb
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to make or become more cheerful, hopeful, or lively
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to rise or cause to rise briskly
the dog's ears perked up
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(tr) to make smarter in appearance
she perked up her outfit with a bright scarf
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slang (intr) to vomit
Etymology
Origin of perk up
C14 perk, perhaps from Norman French perquer; see perch 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Vance, who is heading up the talks, announces progress, news editors perk up.
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026
He has naturally small ears, he said, so seeing them perk up in the mirror felt strange at first.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
A little lemon zest can perk up even the simplest of dishes, like scrambled eggs.
From Salon ● Feb. 26, 2026
Only towards the end of the first period did Madrid perk up again in attack, with Soria saving from Rodrygo Goes after good work by Jude Bellingham.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2025
We all perk up when we see our ride for the day.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
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.
