cheer me up

USAGE SUMMARY

"cheer me up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to make you feel better. For example: "My day has been really tough - could you please cheer me up?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They cheer me up a little.

The Guardian

"They tried to cheer me up," he said.

The New Yorker

"How is that supposed to cheer me up?" I asked.

The New York Times

"Well, actually, that does cheer me up, because it means I'm not dead.

The Guardian - Film

"To cheer me up my mom bought me a camera," Ms. Shak said, glumly.

The New York Times

Why do they sustain me so, cheer me up, remind me of life?

The New Yorker

My manager took me to Elaine's to cheer me up, but I was inconsolable.

The New Yorker

Then he invites me over for dinner to cheer me up".

The Guardian - Sport

The variegated bindings are so pretty they cheer me up when work is dire.

The Guardian - Books

Thank you for trying to cheer me up, Philippa, I say.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Most times, you just need a good Chili's cheer-me-up.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "cheer me up", be specific about what actions or words you find uplifting. This helps them tailor their efforts effectively.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "cheer me up" without indicating your preferences. It's more helpful to suggest activities or topics that typically improve your mood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cheer me up" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb. It requires an object (in this case, 'me') to receive the action of cheering up. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which consistently show this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cheer me up" is a grammatically sound and very common phrasal verb used to request someone to improve your mood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral to informal register. When asking someone to "cheer me up", providing specific preferences can guide their actions more effectively. While the phrase is widely accepted, understanding its nuances and contexts ensures its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lift my spirits

Focuses on elevating one's emotional state.

raise my spirits

Similar to 'lift my spirits', but can imply a more profound effect.

make me feel better

A more general request for improvement in emotional or physical state.

brighten my day

Emphasizes making the day more positive and enjoyable.

put a smile on my face

Highlights the action of causing happiness or amusement.

perk me up

Suggests a quick boost in energy or mood.

make me happy

A direct and simple request for happiness.

comfort me

Suggests providing solace or easing distress.

encourage me

Focuses on providing motivation and support.

animate me

Bring liveliness or enthusiasm to the person

FAQs

How can I use "cheer me up" in a sentence?

You can use "cheer me up" to ask someone to improve your mood. For instance, "I'm feeling down; can you "cheer me up"?"

What's a more formal way to say "cheer me up"?

While "cheer me up" is suitable for most casual contexts, you might use "lift my spirits" or "encourage me" in more formal settings.

What are some things people do to "cheer me up"?

People might tell jokes, offer words of encouragement, share positive stories, or engage in enjoyable activities to ""cheer me up"".

Is it correct to say "cheer up me" instead of "cheer me up"?

No, the correct phrasing is "cheer me up". "Cheer up me" is grammatically incorrect because "cheer up" is a phrasal verb, and the pronoun must go between the verb and the particle.