get (someone's) hopes up

to make someone think that what they want is going to happen.

If we can't afford the trip then we shouldn't get the children's hopes up.

Usage notes: usually said when something is not likely to happen

• give the game away
• give the glad eye
• give the green light
• give the heave ho
• give the heebie-jeebies
• give their due
• give the jitters
• give the kiss of life
• give the lie to
• give the lie to something
• Give them hell!
• give the nod
• give the old heave ho
• give the once-over
• give the push
• give the right of first refusal
• give the right to first refusal
• give the rough side of tongue
• give the rough side of your tongue
• give the runaround
• give the sack
• give the shaft
• give the shits
• give the shivers
• give the slip