Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

keep one's pecker up

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.51 in modern English

Syllables: keep- one's peck-er up
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To remain cheerful; keep smiling.

British usage

Example Sentences

"“Of course you will,” said Wraysford, cheerily; “it’s hard lines at first. Keep your pecker up, young ’un.” The young ’un, despite this friendly advice, felt very far from keeping up his pecker. But he did his best, and worked his face into a melancholy sort of a smile."
", Episode 12, The Cyclops --Keep your pecker up, says Joe. She'd have won the money only for the other dog."
""Nerves a bit dicky, eh? Playing a tune to keep your pecker up?""
"All you need is a box of goodies to keep your pecker up, ..."

Etymology

From pecker, meaning "nose", by analogy with beak.

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

keeps one's pecker up (present, singular) keeping one's pecker up (participle, present) kept one's pecker up (participle, past) kept one's pecker up (past)

Phrases

keep one's chin up

Frequently Paired Words

keep one's chin up

Questions

What does keep one's pecker up mean?: To remain cheerful; keep smiling.
Where does keep one's pecker up come from?: From pecker, meaning "nose", by analogy with beak.

How to pronounce keep one's pecker up

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “keep one's pecker up”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “keep one's pecker up”.
Repeat and practice — Say “keep one's pecker up” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.