Definition

Verb (transitive): * To infuse with spirit, energy, courage, or enthusiasm; to animate, encourage, or invigorate someone.

Usage

The verb "spirit up" is used to describe the act of lifting someone's mood, morale, or energy level. It implies injecting a positive force or vitality into a person or a situation that may be lacking it. It is often used in contexts involving motivation or encouragement.

Examples

• The coach's passionate speech spirited up the team before the championship game.
• We need some good news to spirit up the staff during this difficult project.
• Her cheerful presence always spirits me up when I'm feeling down.

Advanced Usage

• The phrasal verb is separable. The object (e.g., "him," "the team") can be placed between "spirit" and "up" or after the complete phrase.
  • Correct: They spirited the crowd up. / They spirited up the crowd.
• It often carries a slightly literary or formal tone and is less common in everyday casual speech than synonyms like "cheer up" or "pump up."

Variants and Related Words

• Spirit (verb): To carry off or away secretly or mysteriously (e.g., "The documents were spirited away."). This is a distinct meaning from "spirit up."
• Inspirit (verb, archaic): A direct synonym meaning to infuse with spirit or animation.

Synonyms

• Encourage
• Animate
• Invigorate
• Energize
• Heartened
• Buoy up
• Pep up

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cheer up: To make or become happier (more common and casual).
• Pump up: To fill with enthusiasm or energy (informal).
• Fire up: To inspire with enthusiasm or anger.
• Psych up: To prepare mentally, to make eager (informal).

Verb

1. infuse with spirit
   • The company spirited him up