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pucker up

B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

to make your lips ready for a kiss

Literal meaning: Literally, the lips wrinkle or tighten upward.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

to draw your lips together and forward as if you are about to kiss someone

"The little girl puckered up for a kiss from her grandmother."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 informal

to make your lips tight and rounded in reaction to a sour taste or effort

"He puckered up after tasting the lemon juice."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Informal and often playful. Can be used literally or jokingly as an instruction.

Commonly used with

lips for a kiss baby camera photo mouth

Forms

Base
pucker up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puckers up
he/she/it
Past simple
puckered up
yesterday
Past participle
puckered up
have + pp
-ing form
puckering up
continuous

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Synonyms

kiss form your lips purse your lips make a kissing face round your lips press your lips together

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