cheer up — feel happier
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To start feeling happier, especially after feeling sad or disappointed.
Say it like a native
Textbook I began to feel considerably more cheerful after the conversation.
Native I cheered up after we talked.
'Cheer up' is the everyday verb for a mood lifting; the formal version is flat.
Pattern: cheer up (no object)
In use
- I was feeling sad about my exam results, but I cheered up after talking to my friends.daily life
- When I feel stressed about my studies, I usually cheer up by listening to music or going for a walk.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Cheer up yourself, it's not so bad.
✓ Cheer up, it's not so bad.
When telling someone to feel happier, 'cheer up' takes no object — just 'cheer up'.
Common collocations
cheer up— a bit, soon, no end, instantly
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'cheer up (make someone happier)', which is about helping another person feel better.
Related
- cheer up (make someone happier) — Another meaning of 'cheer up' is 'make someone happier'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.