sober up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To become sober; to cause to become sober (usually in terms of alcohol or drugs; sometimes figuratively).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
She's in no state to go home by herself, so make sure she doesn't drink anything else, and she'll soon sober up.
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 “sober up” mean?
To become sober; to cause to become sober (usually in terms of alcohol or drugs; sometimes figuratively).
Is “sober up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.