Whiteisms
The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท U

Up and at 'em

Meaning

A command or encouragement to wake up and get moving. It is used to motivate someone who is being lazy or slow to start their day.

Motivational, energetic

Used in a sentence

  • Time to get up and at 'em, we have a busy day ahead!
  • He poked his head in the door and told the kids to get up and at 'em.
  • Come on, get up and at 'em; the coffee is already brewing.

The backstory

This originated in military parlance, likely as a corruption of 'up and at them,' meaning to get up and attack the enemy. It softened over time into a generic morning wake-up call.

Heard in

Nationwide

Vibe check