psych up

verb

1. informal.
   tr, adverb to get (oneself or another) into a state of psychological readiness for an action, performance, etc

Idioms and Phrases

Excite emotionally, as in The chorus was really psyched up for performing in Symphony Hall . [ Slang ; c. 1970]

Example Sentences

We all know that this is a lot of locker room talk – no, not that kind – intended to psych up the team to go bash skulls with the other squad.

From Fox News

It is an argument that, at the very least, jibes with the person who greets each football player as he gets off the bus and who races onto the field to psych up the “polis.”

From New York Times

Wilson, another Ivy Leaguer, was a fine historian and a visionary president who became too remote and ineffectual to psych up the electorate.

From Seattle Times

Perhaps foolishly, this week I tried to psych up my son, who isn’t looking forward to returning to his state elementary school in Beijing and those new characters.

From New York Times

"As Freud said to Jung in Vienna, you can psych up too much for a darts match."

From BBC

Related Words

• boost
• buoy
• embolden
• hearten
• inspire
• reassure
• restore
• spur
• strengthen