keep one's pecker up
verbEtymology From pecker, meaning "nose", by analogy with beak.
- “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.1880, Talbot Baines Reed, The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's:
- , Episode 12, The Cyclops --Keep your pecker up, says Joe. She'd have won the money only for the other dog.
2 more examples
- "Nerves a bit dicky, eh? Playing a tune to keep your pecker up?"1977, W. Somerset Maugham, Collected short stories:
- All you need is a box of goodies to keep your pecker up, ...2003, Janet Floyd, Laurel Forster, The recipe reader: narratives, contexts, traditions:
- Related terms
- keep one's chin up