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chirk up

C1 informal separable both
In simple words

To cheer up and feel better — an old-fashioned way to say it.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To become cheerful and lively, or to make someone else more cheerful. (Archaic/dialectal.)

"A warm cup of tea and some kind words chirked him up after the long cold journey."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Archaic or dialectal. Found mainly in older American English, particularly in rural or regional dialects. Virtually absent from modern standard English. Learners should use 'cheer up' or 'perk up' instead. Not to be confused with 'chirp up.'

Commonly used with

spirits mood day tone

Forms

Base
chirk up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chirks up
he/she/it
Past simple
chirked up
yesterday
Past participle
chirked up
have + pp
-ing form
chirking up
continuous

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Synonyms

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