pick-me-up

American

[pik-mee-uhp] / ˈpɪk miˌʌp /

noun

Informal.

an alcoholic drink taken to restore one's energy or good spirits.
any restorative, as a snack or coffee.

pick-me-up British

noun

informal a tonic or restorative, esp a special drink taken as a stimulant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does pick-me-up mean? A pick-me-up is something that restores a person’s energy, improves their mood, or generally lifts their spirits, such as a caffeinated drink or a snack, as in I drink coffee every morning because I need a pick-me-up before work. Pick-me-ups can also involve intangible things that help boost your energy or mood, like receiving a compliment, taking a nap, taking a walk, or watching your favorite TV show after a hard day. The term can also specifically refer to an alcoholic drink that is drunk for the purpose of restoring one’s energy or spirit. The word pickup is sometimes used to mean the same thing as pick-me-up, but it is much less common. Example: I could really use a pick-me-up after the terrible morning I just had.

Etymology

Origin of pick-me-up

First recorded in 1865–70; noun use v. of phrase pick me up

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.

On a trip to the highly caffeinated capital of Vietnam, options for a pick-me-up range from traditional egg coffee to wild fruit-infused inventions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The win in Saudi Arabia was a quick pick-me-up after Napoli lost 1-0 to Udinese in the league at the weekend to leave them third, two points adrift of Inter and one behind Milan.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

A great gift for the coffee lover in your life that’s ready to level up their morning pick-me-up.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

People may dump their morning coffees or afternoon pick-me-up snacks in the trash can before they hop on the bus, which may or may not be cleared in time.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 25, 2025

“Listen, Harry, would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts.”

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023