English · Phrasal verb Attested

cheek up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To act disrespectfully toward (someone).

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

An 'uncle' later offered the young Horatio a position in his solicitor's practice but the stupid boy cheeked up his employer instead of apologizing after making a mistake and informed him that, 'To err is human, but to forgive is divine'.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cheek up” mean?

To act disrespectfully toward (someone).

Is “cheek up” formal or informal?

cheek up is generally informal.

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