perk up

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.

A splash of pickle brine can perk up a potato salad.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

That might seem like good news to those of us who have had to choke down hotel-room coffee to perk up after a grueling travel day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

It’s hard to see why conditions perk up from here, and the Fed isn’t about to ride to the rescue.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

"But I need to be able to handle all the feelings and then perk up and perform."

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

As I argued fleetingly in my discussion of pathos, the joke can do more than just perk up a drowsing audience.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith