Definition

Verb: * To cause someone to feel happier, more cheerful, or more lively; to improve someone's mood or spirits.

Usage

This verb is transitive and requires an object (the person being cheered). It is an informal, slightly old-fashioned phrasal verb. It describes an active attempt to lift someone's spirits, often through encouragement, distraction, or positive action.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The particle "up" can sometimes be separated from "jolly," placing the object in the middle (e.g., ). This is common with pronoun objects.
  • He looked so sad; we had to jolly him up.

Variants and Related Words

• Jolly (verb): The base verb "to jolly" can be used similarly, meaning to encourage or coax someone in a cheerful, light-hearted manner, often followed by "along."
  • They tried to jolly him along until his mood improved.

Synonyms

• Cheer up: The most common and direct synonym.
• Perk up: Often used when someone's energy or alertness improves.
• Brighten: To make more cheerful or lively.
• Buck up: An informal synonym meaning to encourage or make more cheerful.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Jolly along: To keep someone in a cooperative or cheerful state, often through encouragement or gentle persuasion.
  • The manager had to jolly the team along to meet the tight deadline.

Verb

1. cause (somebody) to feel happier or more cheerful
   • She tried to cheer up the disappointed child when he failed to win the spelling bee