poker up
C1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To stand or sit very stiffly and formally, as if you are not relaxed
Literal meaning: To become as rigid as a fireplace poker
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
(Non-standard) To become stiff and formal in posture or behavior
"He seemed to poker up whenever his father-in-law entered the room."
Usage notes
This is an extremely rare and non-standard phrasal verb. The standard expression is 'poker-faced' (adjective) or 'stiff as a poker'. ESL learners should not use 'poker up' and should instead use 'stiffen up', 'become stiff', or 'straighten up'. Included here for completeness.
Commonly used with
posture manner attitude
Forms
Base
poker up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pokers up
he/she/it
Past simple
pokered up
yesterday
Past participle
pokered up
have + pp
-ing form
pokering up
continuous
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