perked 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.

When pitching a TV show around Hollywood a few years ago, I saw the ways media executives’ eyes perked up with approval when I mentioned Chinatown as a setting.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Agents in metropolitan areas across the nation say buyer demand perked up this month.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

They perked up when they heard there was a good mall nearby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

“Substitute teacher? No money,” he said with a sigh at one profile, though he perked up when he saw the guy listed his height as 6’2”.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

He perked up an ear at me and panted.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles