perk up
B2Informal, mainly conversational. Used in everyday speech, occasionally in business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to become more lively, cheerful, or energetic; to make something more interesting or appealing.
To suddenly show interest or attention after a period of dullness; to improve in mood, health, or appearance; to make something more attractive or advantageous (often used with 'perks').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. Often used intransitively for people/animals (He perked up). Can be used transitively (The coffee perked her up). Implies a positive change from a lower state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly. Slightly more common in British English for describing someone's mood improving.
Connotations
Neutral to positive. Can suggest a mild or temporary improvement.
Frequency
Common in both varieties. The noun 'perks' (benefits) is extremely common in work contexts globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] perks up.[Something] perks [someone] up.[Someone] perks up at [something].[Someone] perks up when/because...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cup of tea will perk you up.”
- “Perk up your ears! (to listen attentively).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used informally: 'The new incentive scheme really perked up sales.' 'She perked up during the brainstorming session.'
Academic
Rare. Might be used in informal descriptions of behavior in psychology or sociology.
Everyday
Very common: describing people, pets, or plants: 'He perked up when his friends arrived.' 'The flowers perked up after watering.'
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The whole team perked up after the manager's encouraging speech.
- A bit of sunshine is all it takes to perk her up.
American English
- He perked right up when he heard pizza was for dinner.
- Some new curtains would really perk up this old room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog perked up when it saw its leash.
- Drink this juice to perk up.
- She was tired, but perked up at the mention of a party.
- A fresh coat of paint can perk up any kitchen.
- Investors perked up when the CEO announced the breakthrough.
- The audience, which had been quiet, suddenly perked up during the Q&A.
- The market, having languished for weeks, finally began to perk up on the back of positive trade data.
- He devised a few rhetorical questions to perk up his otherwise dry lecture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'perky' person – lively and cheerful. To 'perk up' is to BECOME perky.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVELINESS IS UPWARDLY DIRECTED MOVEMENT (cheer up, lift spirits). ENERGY IS A STIMULANT (like coffee 'perking' or percolating).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'работать' (to work). Not related to 'percolate' though etymologically connected. The closest simple equivalent is 'взбодриться' or 'оживиться'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'perk up' for major recoveries (use 'recover' for serious illness). Using it transitively for objects incorrectly: 'I perked up the music' (unnatural). 'I perked up the volume' is wrong.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'perk up' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used transitively. 'The news perked him up.' / 'The news perked up the whole office.'
Yes, informally. You can perk up a room, a website, or a presentation (make it more attractive/lively).
'Cheer up' is more directly about sadness/depression and is often an imperative ('Cheer up!'). 'Perk up' is more about low energy/boredom and often happens due to a stimulus.
Yes, etymologically. Both come from 'perquisite' (a profit beyond regular wages). 'Perk up' evolved from the idea of making something more attractive or advantageous, just as 'perks' make a job more attractive.