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.
That might seem like good news to those of us who have had to choke down hotel-room coffee to perk up after a grueling travel day.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
A little lemon zest can perk up even the simplest of dishes, like scrambled eggs.
From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026
"But I need to be able to handle all the feelings and then perk up and perform."
From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025
Big picture: The economy might perk up in 2026 as trade wars fade and new tax breaks kick in, but the U.S. is likely to muddle through to the new year.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025
Bob’s ears perk up, although his eyes stay closed.
From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate
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.
