buck up

Used to tell someone to feel happier or braver.

• Buck up! You can do this.
• Buck up, Sam! Tomorrow will be better.
• Come on, buck up! There is still hope.

Similar words: cheer up, take heart

Common phrases: buck up now, buck up everyone

To become happier or braver and feel ready to deal with something.

• I need to buck up.
• He bucked up after hearing the good news.
• She bucked up and faced the difficult conversation.

Similar words: cheer up, take heart, rally

Common phrases: buck up again, buck up a little

To help someone feel happier, braver, or more hopeful.

• Your visit bucked me up.
• She tried to buck up the team before the match.
• Will some good news buck him up?

How to use it: buck someone up (A friendly message bucked me up.)

Similar words: cheer up, encourage, hearten

Opposites: discourage

Common phrases: buck someone up, buck up someone

To make more effort and improve how you work or behave.

• You need to buck up.
• He bucked up and started finishing his homework.
• The manager told us to buck up our ideas.

Similar words: improve, shape up

Common phrases: buck up your ideas, buck up at school

To send a problem or decision to someone with more authority to deal with.

• We bucked the problem up.
• She bucked the complaint up to her supervisor.
• Why are you bucking every decision up to management?

How to use it: buck something up to someone (They bucked the decision up to the director.)

Similar words: refer upward, escalate

Common phrases: buck up something, buck up a complaint

To hit someone or fight them.

• He threatened to buck me up.
• They bucked him up outside the bar.
• The bully wanted to buck up anyone who challenged him.

Similar words: hit, fight, beat up

Common phrases: buck up someone, buck someone up