perk up

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of perk up¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

This seems to be where the author’s real interests lie, and the writing appreciably perks up when she gets there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He expects home sales to perk up as mortgage rates drop.

Read more on MarketWatch

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.

Read more on Barron's

Indeed, perked up ears with a tongue lolling does not read as scared so much as “squirrel!”

Read more on Salon

But who doesn’t perk up a bit when the scrim of perfection that shields the private lives of high-profile, perfectly turned-out couples is torn, even for one brief moment?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brighten 
• mend 
• take heart