keep one's pecker up
To remain cheerful; keep smiling.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Keep your pecker up, things will get better soon.”
“He tries to keep his pecker up during the long winter months.”
“You should keep your pecker up even when the work is boring.”
“Even though the project failed, she tried to keep her pecker up and look for new opportunities.”
“After you lose a game, it is important to keep your pecker up and shake hands with the other players.”
“We need to keep our pecker up while we wait for the mechanic to fix the car on this rainy day.”
“The small business owner struggled during the first year but managed to keep her pecker up by focusing on her loyal customers and future goals.”
“Despite the mounting difficulties and the long road ahead, he resolved to keep his pecker up and maintain a positive outlook for the sake of his team.”
From the noun *pecker*, used as a synonym for "nose" by analogy with a bird's beak. The idiom dictates that the nose be kept elevated to signify a resolute or cheerful disposition, a posture requiring the head to remain upright rather than bowed. As the anatomical term shifted in modern usage, the original facial reference was largely obscured.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026