perk up

British  

verb

1. to make or become more cheerful, hopeful, or lively

2. to rise or cause to rise briskly

   the dog's ears perked up

3. (tr) to make smarter in appearance

   she perked up her outfit with a bright scarf

4. slang (intr) to vomit

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perk up Idioms  

1. Restore to good spirits, liveliness, or good appearance, as in You're exhausted, but a cup of tea will perk you up, or The flowers perked up the whole room. [Mid-1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of perk up

C14 perk, perhaps from Norman French perquer; see _perch ¹

Example Sentences

Demand has since perked up slightly, with the current going rate on the secondary market for a “Girl” hovering around $1 million, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

When pitching a TV show around Hollywood a few years ago, I saw the ways media executives’ eyes perked up with approval when I mentioned Chinatown as a setting.

From Los Angeles Times

Home sales perked up in February, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday, while January’s reading was revised higher.

From Barron's

U.S.-stock funds had done markedly better, year after year, until a year ago at this time—when non-U.S. holdings perked up during the tariffs and trade wars.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s hard to see why conditions perk up from here, and the Fed isn’t about to ride to the rescue.

From Barron's

Related Words

• brighten
• mend
• take heart