pep talk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He calmed his nerves, he said, by giving himself a blunt pep talk - a move typical of the man who inspired many GIFs with his trademark pointing of the finger towards his temple.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The pep talk focused his mind and inspired him to battle through the pain barrier for the remaining six races.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Tennis great Roger Federer even invited Shiffrin and her mother, Eileen, to his Swiss mountain home to give her a pep talk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Cady also was the high school coach in Northern California for Oaks Christian coach Mark Amaral and recently dropped by to give a pep talk to the Oaks Christian players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

He typed on his computer until his eyes shut from exhaustion, only to suddenly jump up and begin pacing the room, swinging his arms, giving himself a pep talk: “Come on, Pel. Come on.”

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French