1 B2 idiomatic informal
To become or make someone become more cheerful, positive, or courageous.
"The team's victory really bucked us all up after a difficult week."
separable
buck up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To become more cheerful, brave, or energetic; or to make someone else feel this way.
In plain English
To feel better and be more positive — or to tell someone to stop being sad or lazy and try harder.
What does "buck up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To make more effort or move faster; used as an imperative urging someone to hurry or improve.
"Buck up, will you? We're going to be late!"
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To improve the quality of one's work, attitude, or behavior.
"If he doesn't buck his ideas up, he's going to lose that job."
separable
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. Can be used as an imperative ('Buck up!') or transitively ('That news bucked me up'). Also used to mean hurrying up in British slang.
Words that pair with "buck up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
spirits courage mood ideas performance effort
How to conjugate "buck up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
buck up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bucks up
he/she/it
Past simple
bucked up
yesterday
Past participle
bucked up
have + pp
-ing form
bucking up
continuous
Hear "buck up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "buck up"
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