lift spirits

USAGE SUMMARY

"lift spirits" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has done something to make someone else feel better or more hopeful about a situation. For example: His kind words were enough to lift her spirits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Jeans New Wranglers claim to lift spirits, among other things.

The New York Times

But there's also an effort to decontaminate and lift spirits.

The Guardian

The art, and its surroundings, seem designed to lift spirits.

The New York Times - Arts

It will lift spirits in Syria, where another reformist revolt is under way.

The Economist

Residents and officials said they hoped the president's visit would lift spirits.

The New York Times

It usually conveys a fairly innocuous message intended to lift spirits.

The New York Times

The mood in the office is so dismal that some employees have formed their own group to help lift spirits.

The New York Times

It's frustrating when people dismiss a grey day – even a rainy day can lift spirits because there are colours everywhere.

The Guardian

Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Depression were a famous attempt to lift spirits and encourage economic activity.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Morrin said, the weekend rain should lift spirits, even if it does not fill reservoirs.

The New York Times

Considering it was their first competitive win in nearly two full months, it certainly helped to lift spirits.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lift spirits" when you want to describe an action that improves someone's mood or overall sense of well-being, especially in challenging situations.

Common error

While "lift spirits" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "boost morale" or "encourage" in professional or academic writing for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lift spirits" is as a verb phrase. It typically functions as a transitive verb, where "lift" is the action and "spirits" is the object being acted upon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lift spirits" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe actions that improve someone's mood or overall sense of well-being. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or academic writing. Key sources using the phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC. Related phrases include "boost morale", "cheer up", and "encourage", offering similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise someone's spirits

Similar meaning but uses a more descriptive noun phrase.

boost morale

Focuses on improving the overall confidence and enthusiasm of a group.

uplift

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

cheer up

Emphasizes making someone feel happier or less sad.

brighten someone's day

Focuses on making someone's day more pleasant.

encourage

Highlights providing support and confidence.

inspire hope

Focuses on instilling a sense of optimism and possibility.

gladden the heart

Evokes a stronger emotional response of joy.

rekindle enthusiasm

Implies reviving a previously existing feeling of excitement or passion.

animate

Focuses on providing spirit and energy.

FAQs

How can I use "lift spirits" in a sentence?

You can use "lift spirits" to describe actions that improve someone's mood or well-being. For example, "The president's visit was intended to lift spirits after the disaster."

What are some alternatives to "lift spirits"?

You can use alternatives like "boost morale", "cheer up", or "encourage" depending on the context.

Is "lift spirits" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "lift spirits" may be considered less formal. In professional or academic writing, consider alternatives such as "boost morale" or "instill hope".

What's the difference between "lift spirits" and "raise someone's spirits"?

"Lift spirits" and "raise someone's spirits" are largely interchangeable. The latter simply uses a slightly more descriptive noun phrase.