Definition

1. Verb (transitive or intransitive):
   • To prepare oneself or someone else mentally for a challenging task or event by generating excitement, enthusiasm, or a focused, aggressive state of mind. It involves stimulating one's emotions or confidence to a high level.

Usage

• The verb "psych up" is commonly used in informal contexts, especially related to sports, performances, or important events.
• It can be used reflexively () or with an object ().
• The past tense and past participle are often "psyched up."

Examples

• Transitive use (with an object):
  • The coach gave a speech to psych up the team before the championship game.
  • I need some loud music to psych me up for my workout.
• Intransitive/Reflexive use:
  • She spent a few minutes alone to psych up before her big presentation.
  • The players are in the locker room, trying to psych themselves up.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/get psyched up": To be or become mentally prepared and excited.
  • The crowd was psyched up for the concert.
  • I'm really psyched up about the opportunity.

Variants and Related Words

• Psyched (adjective): Excited, enthusiastic, or mentally prepared. (Informal)
  • He was really psyched about his new job.
• Psych-out (verb): To intimidate or undermine the confidence of an opponent.
  • Their strategy was to psych-out the other team with an aggressive start.

Synonyms

• Pump up: To fill with enthusiasm or excitement.
• Fire up: To inspire or excite someone.
• Motivate: To provide someone with a reason to do something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Psych out: To make someone feel nervous or less confident, often as a tactic.
  • The boxer tried to psych out his opponent by staring him down before the match.

Related Idioms

• Get psyched: To become very excited or mentally prepared. (Informal)
  • Let's get psyched! We can win this!

Verb

1. get excited or stimulated
   • The children were all psyched up after the movie