perk up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For about $70, a plastic surgeon injected the ridged cartilage of her ears with a hyaluronic-acid filler that caused her ears to perk up.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

It’s hard to see why conditions perk up from here, and the Fed isn’t about to ride to the rescue.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

A little lemon zest can perk up even the simplest of dishes, like scrambled eggs.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

"But I need to be able to handle all the feelings and then perk up and perform."

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

It told our forebears whether to run when they saw a lion or perk up at the sound of a bird that might be food.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel