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wake up

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wake (someone or an animal) up

to cause someone or an animal to awaken. Please don't wake me up until noon. Wake up your brother at noon.

See also: up, wake

wake someone up (to something)

to cause someone to become alert and pay attention. (Does not refer to someone actually asleep.) We tried to wake them up to the dangers. Try to wake up the students to their responsibilities.

See also: up, wake

wake up

to awaken; to become alert. Wake up! We have to get on the road. It's time to wake up!

See also: up, wake

wake up

v.

1. To rouse someone or something from sleep; awaken someone or something: Be quiet, or you will wake up the baby. The alarm woke me up.

2. To become awake; waken: I plan to wake up early tomorrow.

3. To make someone alert or cognizant: The coffee woke me up. The shocking revelations finally woke up the citizens.

4. wake up to To become alert or cognizant of something: We suddenly woke up to the fact that the family business was failing.

See also: up, wake