Cheer Up: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：lift spirits (Cheer up)

Cheer up 🔊

/tʃɪər ʌp/

phr.v.

To make someone feel happier or more positive, often by saying kind words or doing something nice.

Cheer up scene: friend offering tea to sad person on sofa

lift spirits 🔊

➕

/lɪft ˈspɪrɪts/

phr.v.

To bring joy or positivity to someone who is sad or upset, often through kind words or actions.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'cheer' (Old French 'chiere' = face) + 'up' (to a higher state).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a friend lifting your spirits with a bright smile and a warm hug.

📖 Example

When my sister was upset about her job, I baked her a cake to cheer her up. 🔊 When my sister was upset about her job, I baked her a cake to cheer her up.

🔗 Collocations

cheer someone up – to make a person feel happier

cheer up! – a phrase used to encourage someone to be happier

try to cheer up – attempt to become happier

🔄 Synonyms

cheer (v.) – to give comfort or encouragement to someone

encourage (v.) – to give support, confidence, or hope to someone

uplift (v.) – to raise someone's spirits or mood

🚫 Antonyms

depress (v.) – to make someone feel sad or dispirited

discourage (v.) – to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm

sadden (v.) – to make someone unhappy

🌱 Derivatives

cheer (n.) – a feeling of happiness or optimism

cheerful (adj.) – noticeably happy and optimistic

cheering (adj.) – providing comfort or encouragement

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'cheer' originally referred to one's face or mood. In the 16th century, 'cheer up' came to mean improving someone's spirits, often used in encouraging contexts.