buck up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal
Quick answer
What does “buck up” mean?
to become more cheerful, optimistic, or energetic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to become more cheerful, optimistic, or energetic; to improve one's mood or performance.
To encourage someone else to be more cheerful or to perform better; to make an effort to improve a situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and idiomatic in British English. In American English, 'cheer up' or 'perk up' are often preferred.
Connotations
UK: Often paternalistic or schoolmasterly ('Buck up, old chap!'). US: Can sound slightly old-fashioned or affected.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; low-to-medium in US, where it may be perceived as a Briticism.
Grammar
How to Use “buck up” in a Sentence
[imperative] Buck up![reflexive] He bucked himself up.[transitive] The good news bucked her up.[intransitive] His spirits finally bucked up.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buck up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You look miserable. Buck up!
- The team needs to buck up if they want to win.
- A cup of tea might buck her up.
American English
- He told his friend to buck up after the loss.
- The market finally bucked up in the afternoon.
- Try to buck up a little before the meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; considered too informal for most professional contexts.
Academic
Extremely rare; inappropriate for formal writing.
Everyday
Common in spoken British English for encouragement among friends/family.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buck up”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Saying 'buck up yourself' instead of 'buck yourself up'.
- Using it to mean 'hurry up' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be perceived as brusque or dismissive if used insensitively. Tone and relationship are key. Among friends, it's usually friendly.
No, this is a common misunderstanding. It exclusively relates to mood, attitude, or performance, not speed.
'Buck up' implies a more active, determined effort to improve one's state, often with a hint of toughness. 'Cheer up' is softer, focusing on comfort and sympathy.
Not in standard use. You would say 'He gave me a pep talk' not 'He gave me a bucking up'.
to become more cheerful, optimistic, or energetic.
Buck up is usually informal in register.
Buck up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʌk ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbʌk ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Buck up your ideas!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a deer (a buck) suddenly springing up energetically – that's the image of 'bucking up' your spirits.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOW SPIRITS ARE A PHYSICAL BURDEN (to buck up is to lift/shake off that burden).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'buck up' LEAST appropriate?