To brighten up is to become more cheerful — or to make a place more lively. Light, literal or otherwise.
The mood sense works both ways round, since somebody brightens up at good news and good news brightens them up. The place sense is about decoration, so a few plants will brighten up a room. Weather brightens up when the cloud breaks. There is a warm compliment in saying that somebody brightens up a room simply by walking into it.
1phrasebrighten upTo become or make more cheerful.
“She will brighten up once the results come through.”
2phraseplaceTo make a place look more attractive.
“A coat of paint would brighten up the whole hall.”
Practised in Phrasal Verbs, A Man Called Ove
First appears in chapter 26 of A Man Called Ove.
Practise this word