cheer up
Short definition: The phrase cheer up means to become happier or to make someone feel less sad, often by offering comfort, encouragement, or something enjoyable that improves their mood.
Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb cheer up? This expression is very common in everyday English and usually relates to improving someone's mood or becoming happier after feeling sad, tired, or discouraged. People often say it to friends, family members, or coworkers when they want to encourage them to feel better or think more positively. It can also describe a situation where someone naturally becomes happier over time, such as when good news arrives or when something fun happens. Because it focuses on emotional change and encouragement, cheer up often appears in supportive conversations and friendly advice. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how cheer up works in everyday English.
Forms: cheer up, cheers up, cheered up, cheering up
Related: encourage v., comfort v., brighten v., uplift v.
Syllable: cheer-up
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(Verb) To become happier or feel less sad.
To cheer up most commonly means becoming happier after feeling sad, worried, or disappointed, often because something positive happens or someone offers encouragement.
She began to cheer up after hearing the good news about her job application.The children quickly cheered up when they saw the surprise cake.After spending time with friends, he slowly started to cheer up.Synonyms: feel happier, brighten up, lift mood, feel better, become cheerful, lighten mood, improve spirits, recover emotionally, regain happiness, become positive, perk up, grow cheerful
Antonyms: feel sad, become depressed, feel discouraged, grow unhappy, feel down, sink into sadness, become gloomy, lose spirit, feel miserable, remain upset, grow negative, fall into despair -
(Verb) To make someone feel happier or less upset.
In another sense, cheer up means helping another person feel better emotionally by comforting them, encouraging them, or doing something kind or enjoyable.
She tried to cheer him up by telling jokes and funny stories.A small gift was enough to cheer her up after a difficult day.They organized a surprise party to cheer up their friend.Synonyms: encourage, comfort, brighten mood, lift spirits, reassure, support emotionally, inspire happiness, bring joy, lighten feelings, motivate positively, uplift emotionally, make smile
Antonyms: discourage, upset, depress, sadden, dishearten, bring down mood, upset emotionally, dampen spirits, cause sadness, distress, hurt feelings, worsen mood