lift someone's spirits

Meaning

To make someone feel happier, more optimistic, or more energetic when they are feeling sad, discouraged, or tired. It is deeply connected to showing empathy and emotional support in personal relationships.

Examples

• A warm cup of tea and a long chat always help to lift my sister's spirits.

  A warm cup of tea and a long chat always help to lift my sister's spirits.

• He bought her some fresh flowers to lift her spirits after a tough day at work.

  He bought her some fresh flowers to lift her spirits after a tough day at work.

• We told some funny jokes to try and lift his spirits while he was in the hospital.

  We told some funny jokes to try and lift his spirits while he was in the hospital.

• Her kind words really lifted my spirits when I was feeling down about the exam.

  Her kind words really lifted my spirits when I was feeling down about the exam.

• The surprise video message from his family did a lot to lift his spirits.

  The surprise video message from his family did a lot to lift his spirits.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I tried to lift her spirit with some chocolate.

  ✓ I tried to lift her spirits with some chocolate.

  This idiomatic expression almost always uses the plural form 'spirits' to refer to a person's mood or emotional state.

• ✗ Her visit raised up my spirits.

  ✓ Her visit lifted my spirits.

  While 'raised' is occasionally heard, 'lifted' is the standard collocation. 'Raised up' sounds unnatural and incorrect in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I sent her a funny meme to help ___ after her dog got sick.

  💡 make her feel happier and more cheerful

  Show answer

  lift her spirits

• Nothing could ___ quite like a long walk on the beach.

  💡 improve his sad or discouraged mood

  Show answer

  lift his spirits