1 C1 idiomatic informal
To act in a bold, impudent, or impertinent way.
"Don't cheek up like that — the headmaster won't find it funny at all."
inseparable
cheek up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To behave in a bold, impudent, or impertinent manner.
In plain English
To act in a rude but funny, overly confident way.
What does "cheek up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
British English, now dated and rare. 'Cheek' as a verb is more commonly heard in British dialects and older speech. Modern speakers are more likely to say 'be cheeky' than 'cheek up.'
Words that pair with "cheek up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boss teacher authority elders situation
How to conjugate "cheek up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cheek up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cheeks up
he/she/it
Past simple
cheeked up
yesterday
Past participle
cheeked up
have + pp
-ing form
cheeking up
continuous
Hear "cheek up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cheek up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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