cheek up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To act in a rude but funny, overly confident way.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To act in a bold, impudent, or impertinent way.
"Don't cheek up like that — the headmaster won't find it funny at all."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
British English, now dated and rare. 'Cheek' as a verb is more commonly heard in British dialects and older speech. Modern speakers are more likely to say 'be cheeky' than 'cheek up.'
Commonly used with
boss teacher authority elders situation
Forms
Base
cheek up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cheeks up
he/she/it
Past simple
cheeked up
yesterday
Past participle
cheeked up
have + pp
-ing form
cheeking up
continuous
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