get-up-and-getn.adj.
/ˌɡɛtʌp(ə)n(d)ˈɡɛt/, U.S. /ˌɡɛdəpənˈɡɛt/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
A. n.
Inclination to get up and be active; energy, enterprise, determination; = get-up-and-go n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > energy or enterprise
undertakingc1400
enterprisec1450
energy1793
dynamism1831
go-aheadism1838
get-up1841
go-ahead1843
go-aheadness1847
drive1859
get-up-and-get1865
get-up-and-go1871
get-there-ativeness1883
push-and-go1885
hustle1892
go-getting1919
go-gettingness1928
dynamicism1947
go-go-go1954
1865 E. Willett Cotton Thief v. 19/2 His purty won't do to bet on, but thar's a heap of git-up-and-git about him [sc. a horse].
1884 G. W. Peck Peck's Boss Bk. 183 The adjutant..felt that his position demanded a horse that had some git-up-and-git.
1964 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 12 Jan. (1970) 42 Lyndon went to church... I am sorry I did not have the get-up-and-get to go with him.
1989 J. Purdy Garments Living Wear xxi. 108 Your adored Father could not have had the get-up-and-get or manhood to feed one of these tiny chimney swifts.
B. adj.
That inclines a person to get up and be active, enterprising. Also: (of a person) energetic, active. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > energetic or enterprising
adventurousc1330
emprising1584
enterprising1601
spirited1601
yanking1823
go-ahead1829
go-aheadative1836
go-aheadish1851
fore-reaching1864
get-up-and-get1874
rustling1877
outpushing1884
thrustful1909
go-getting1912
push-and-go1916
can-do1926
go-go-go1954
1874 Amer. Farmer 1 June 221/2 The ‘get up and get’ spirit should be the one that should actuate our people to leave no stone unturned.
1885 C. A. Siringo Texas Cow Boy iv. 48 A wide-awake, get-up-and-get, honest boy.
1920 Boys' Life July 39 If you have the gumption and ‘get-up-and-get’ spirit.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1865