keep one's pecker up

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Verb

keep one's pecker up (third-person singular simple present keeps one's pecker up, present participle keeping one's pecker up, simple past and past participle kept one's pecker up)

1. (chiefly British, idiomatic) To remain cheerful; keep smiling.
   • 1880, Talbot Baines Reed, The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's:

     “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.

   • 1922 February, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:
     , Episode 12, The Cyclops

     --Keep your pecker up, says Joe. She'd have won the money only for the other dog.

   • 1977, W. Somerset Maugham, Collected short stories:

     "Nerves a bit dicky, eh? Playing a tune to keep your pecker up?"

   • 2003, Janet Floyd, Laurel Forster, The recipe reader: narratives, contexts, traditions:

     All you need is a box of goodies to keep your pecker up, ...

Usage notes

In the US, where pecker means penis, this phrase is not used, as it would likely be understood as a vulgar command to maintain an erection.

See also

• keep one's chin up