Sober up
verb
To become sober after having drunk too much alcohol.
He had to sober up before the police let him go.
Often appears as...
- sober up quickly
- sober up overnight
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To make someone become sober after they have drunk too much alcohol.
I tried to sober him up with some coffee.
Often appears as...
- sober someone up
- sober up with coffee
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To become more serious, sensible, or realistic about something.
The team sobered up after their first loss of the season.
Often appears as...
- sober up about reality
- sober up after defeat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To become sober after having drunk too much alcohol.
He had to sober up before the police let him go.
Often appears as...
- sober up quickly
- sober up overnight
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To make someone become sober after they have drunk too much alcohol.
I tried to sober him up with some coffee.
Often appears as...
- sober someone up
- sober up with coffee
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To become more serious, sensible, or realistic about something.
The team sobered up after their first loss of the season.
Often appears as...
- sober up about reality
- sober up after defeat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Recovery
Refers to physically overcoming alcohol effects. It's a gradual process.
After a long night, he needed time to sober up before heading home.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Commonly used in casual speech among friends or in informal settings.
She told her friend she'd sober up before the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Responsibility
Used when someone must quickly reduce drunkenness to be responsible or safe.
He knew he had to sober up to drive his children home.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Recovery
Refers to physically overcoming alcohol effects. It's a gradual process.
After a long night, he needed time to sober up before heading home.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Commonly used in casual speech among friends or in informal settings.
She told her friend she'd sober up before the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Responsibility
Used when someone must quickly reduce drunkenness to be responsible or safe.
He knew he had to sober up to drive his children home.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Recovery
Refers to physically overcoming alcohol effects. It's a gradual process.
After a long night, he needed time to sober up before heading home.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
Commonly used in casual speech among friends or in informal settings.
She told her friend she'd sober up before the meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Responsibility
Used when someone must quickly reduce drunkenness to be responsible or safe.
He knew he had to sober up to drive his children home.
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