1 C1 idiomatic informal
To increase, stimulate, or boost the energy, performance, or appeal of something.
"They goosed up the marketing campaign with a celebrity endorsement."
separable
goose up
C1 informal separable transitive
To stimulate, energise, or increase something, especially to boost its performance or excitement.
In plain English
To make something more exciting, powerful, or lively.
What does "goose up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Goose' as a verb means to poke or prod someone — 'goose up' extends this to mean energising or stimulating something.
Actually means
To make something more exciting, powerful, or lively.
Usage tip
Primarily American English slang. Relatively uncommon. Used to describe boosting performance, energy, or appeal. Can also be used literally to refer to pinching someone on the buttocks (derived from the verb 'to goose'), though this sense is now rare and considered crude.
Words that pair with "goose up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
engine performance excitement numbers crowd metabolism
How to conjugate "goose up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
goose up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gooses up
he/she/it
Past simple
goosed up
yesterday
Past participle
goosed up
have + pp
-ing form
goosing up
continuous
Hear "goose up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "goose up"
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Keep exploring
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