1 B1 idiomatic informal
To make a person feel more energetic or enthusiastic.
"A short walk outside really pepped me up after hours at my desk."
separable
pep up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make someone or something more lively, energetic, or enthusiastic.
In plain English
To give more energy or excitement to a person or thing.
What does "pep up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To make something such as a presentation, event, or piece of work more lively or interesting.
"They added some live music to pep up the annual conference."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To become more energetic or cheerful (intransitive).
"The whole team pepped up when the manager announced a bonus."
Usage tip
'Pep up' comes from 'pep', an informal word for energy and enthusiasm. It can be used transitively ('this coffee will pep you up') or intransitively ('she really pepped up after lunch'). Common in everyday informal speech. Often used to describe the effect of food, drink, exercise, or encouragement.
Words that pair with "pep up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
coffee music exercise talk meeting presentation
How to conjugate "pep up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pep up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
peps up
he/she/it
Past simple
peped up
yesterday
Past participle
peped up
have + pp
-ing form
peping up
continuous
Hear "pep up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "pep up"
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