perk up

phrasal verb

perked up; perking up; perks up

informal

: 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.

: to make (something) fresher or more appealing

The new paint job really perked up the room.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Claire, however, perks up at the mention of cheese. —

Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025 These cherry ones will definitely perk up your utensil drawer. —

Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 1 Jan. 2025 The biggest surprise, one that perked up an otherwise mixed bag of an episode, was Adam Sandler showing up as the patient in a surgery sketch. —

Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024 Savings on fuel: Fuel perks up to $0.10 off every gallon at over 13,000 stations. —

Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perk up