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

Economists figure that even with the easing of the 145% reciprocal tariffs against China, inflation numbers could perk up again in the summer months, though the degree to which that will happen is an open question. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 May 2025

Plus, the weather around me is starting to perk up—everything is coming back to life! —Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Read on to discover the best linen spray options to freshen your bedspread, wow overnight visitors, or even use to perk up your wardrobe staples pre-laundry day. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025

Practically inconsolable, Nate perked up when Frederick, older by two years, had a suggestion: Come play basketball with me instead. —Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for perk up

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