cheer up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 feel happierTo start feeling happier, especially after feeling sad or disappointed.
2 make someone happierTo do something that helps another person feel happier, especially when they are sad.

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feel happier

B1cheer upspokenMost common

To start feeling happier, especially after feeling sad or disappointed.

I was feeling sad about my exam results, but I cheered up after talking to my friends.

A: You look happier today!
B: Yeah, I finally cheered up after that bad week.

When I feel stressed about my studies, I usually cheer up by listening to music or going for a walk.

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'.

Tell it apart

She cheered up once the sun came out.

got happier

She calmed down once the sun came out.

got less upset or angry

Use 'cheer up' when your mood improves, often after something positive happens.Compare with 'cheer up (make someone happier)', which is about helping another person feel better.

Often paired with

cheer up

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make someone happier

B1cheer sb upspoken

To do something that helps another person feel happier, especially when they are sad.

I bought my sister some flowers to cheer her up after her surgery.

A: Tom seems really down lately.
B: Maybe we should invite him out to cheer him up.

If my friend is feeling sad, I try to cheer them up by telling jokes or taking them out for coffee.

Common mistake

✗I tried to cheer up him.

✓I tried to cheer him up.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cheer him up'.

Tell it apart

A funny video might cheer her up.

lift her sadness

A quiet word might calm her down.

ease her anger

Use 'cheer someone up' when you want to help a friend or family member feel better.This sense is about helping others, not yourself.

Often paired with

cheer someone up

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feel happier make someone happier