perk up

phrasal verb

perked up; perking up; perks up

informal

1

: to become more lively or cheerful or to make (someone) more lively or cheerful

We perked up when we heard the good news.

The good news perked everyone up.

2

: to make (something) fresher or more appealing

The new paint job really perked up the room.

3

chiefly US, of an animal's ears : to be lifted in a quick and alert way

The dog's ears perked up.

—often used figuratively of a person

My ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.

Examples of perk up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the end of 2025, new-home sales perked up, helped in part by builder incentives. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026

This handy spread is worth stocking up on because it can be used in several different—and easy—ways to perk up your usual weeknight dinners. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

People relate to seeing their dogs perk up when walks are mentioned, Sheena said. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

The ears of Hawks season ticket holder Maurice Sims perked up. —Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for perk up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup