buck up

1 to become glad or hopeful buck up, kids, it's not so bad as you're making it out to be Synonyms brighten, cheer, lighten, look up, perk (up)Related Words rejoice; liven (up), revive; beam, glow, radiate, sparkle; encourage, gladden, heartenNear Antonyms despair, despond; brood, fret, mopeAntonyms darken, sadden

2 to fill with courage or strength of purpose a surprise presidential visit to buck up the troops Synonyms bear up, encourage, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, steelRelated Words animate, enliven, invigorate; enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; assure, reassure; boost, energize, excite, galvanize, provoke, quicken, rally, stimulate, stirNear Antonyms demoralize, depress, sadden; debilitate, enfeeble, hamstring, undermine, weaken; intimidate, psych (out)Antonyms daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit