"Pucker up" means to purse your lips together like you are getting ready for a kiss. It is often said to someone to encourage them to get their lips ready for a kiss. It can also mean when something becomes wrinkled or tightened up. For example, your fingers pucker up when wet and pruney in the bath.
In short:
- It means tightening or pursing the lips.
- It also refers to the wrinkling or contracting of a surface.
"Pucker up" is a phrase with two distinct but related meanings. Primarily, it's used as a playful or affectionate way to tell someone to get ready for a kiss, often by pulling their lips together. In another sense, it describes the process where skin, fabric, or some other surface contracts or wrinkles up, like how your skin puckers up in water.
Here’s more on its meanings and uses:
The phrase "pucker up" likely evolved from the word "pucker," which has been used since the late 16th century. The word originally meant "to purse," as in pursing your lips. Its use in preparing for a kiss or describing wrinkling seems to have become popular in more recent times.
"She whispered ‘pucker up’ with a smile, prompting the young couple's first kiss."
- From a 20th-century novel
The idiom "pucker up" is versatile and can be used in various scenarios.
Here are ten examples to illustrate its diverse applications:
The phrase "pucker up" has permeated pop culture over the years.
Here are some instances where it has made its mark:
While "pucker up" is a distinctive idiom, there are other expressions and phrases related to puckering one's lips, especially in the context of kissing or showing anticipation.
Here's a list:
It generally means to prepare your lips for a kiss by drawing them together, or to react to a sour or bitter taste.
The exact origins are unclear, but it's believed to be an American idiom from the 20th century, drawing on the action of puckering lips for a kiss or in response to a sour taste.
While often used in romantic contexts related to kissing, it can also be used humorously or in relation to tasting something sour.
It's mostly a colloquial expression and might not be suitable for very formal contexts, but it can be used in creative or informal writing.
While it's commonly understood in English-speaking countries, it might not be familiar to non-English speakers or in cultures where English isn't the primary language.
Yes, there are several songs with that title or similar phrasing, like "Pucker Up Buttercup" by Jr. Walker & The All Stars.
Absolutely! It can refer to any situation where the lips are drawn together, such as when tasting something sour.
Yes, there's a documentary titled "Pucker Up: The Fine Art of Whistling" and it's possible there are books or other media with similar titles or themes.
There isn't a direct antonym, but "relax your lips" or "loosen up" might convey the opposite action.
It's been around for a while, at least since the 20th century, but its popularity in pop culture has given it a timeless feel.
The phrase "pucker up" adds a playful or descriptive touch in various contexts, from romantic gestures to the physical reaction of skin. It's a versatile phrase understood across different ages and cultures, highlighting the diverse ways we use language to describe both affectionate gestures and physical reactions.
Here's a quick recap: