Browse all

ginger up

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To add some energy or excitement to something or to encourage someone to try harder.

Literal meaning: To add the spice ginger to something to make it more stimulating — historically used of horses.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To make a person or group more active, enthusiastic, or energetic.

"The coach tried to ginger up the players at halftime with a passionate speech."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To make an event, situation, or piece of writing more exciting or interesting.

"The editor suggested gingerring up the article with some personal anecdotes."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily British English and now somewhat dated. More common in older literature and journalism. 'Ginger' as a verb means to stimulate or enliven, derived from the practice of placing ginger under a horse's tail to make it livelier. Use with caution — 'ginger' can carry racial connotations in some contexts in British English, but 'ginger up' itself does not.

Commonly used with

debate campaign team performance meeting atmosphere

Forms

Base
ginger up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gingers up
he/she/it
Past simple
gingered up
yesterday
Past participle
gingered up
have + pp
-ing form
gingering up
continuous

Understand "ginger up" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "ginger up" on Looplines