buck up
buck up
Meaning
- to summon the courage to do something
- to become encouraged or cheerful after a tragic incident
- to get over something unpleasant
Example Sentences
- After losing the first place position to Martha, everyone heard Mary's mother tell her to buck up.
- People should learn to buck up after encountering any major issues as this is the only way they can succeed.
- Matthew was told to buck up and resit the exams next year.
- Sometimes it can be difficult to buck up and continue after suffering a huge loss.
- Naomi found it easy to buck up even after she failed out of medical school.
- After the devastating fire that claimed the lives of her entire family, Alicia has managed to buck up and put her life back together.
Origin
This phrase originated in the southern part of the United States and it derives directly from the word “buck” which has the same meaning as stag. The stag is a majestic animal and so to buck up initially meant to look smarter or tidy up one's appearance. Later, it evolved to being used to mean to cheer up or to just move on after a bad experience.