English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CHEER UP or CHEER ON?
We had to ~cheer her on~ so she could forget her worries (nonstandard).
We had to *cheer her up* to forget her worries (standard).
When you cheer up or when something cheers you up, you stop feeling depressed and become more cheerful.
Many Nigerians were at the stadium to ~cheer the players up~ (nonstandard).
Many Nigerians were at the stadium to *cheer the players on* (standard).
When you cheer someone on, you shout loudly in order to encourage them, for example when they are taking part in a game.
GAB
No comment