抖擞 is a reduplicative verb meaning 'to invigorate oneself' or 'to brace up'—often used when shaking off lethargy, fatigue, or discouragement to regain energy and mental alertness. Literally, 抖 (dǒu) means 'to shake' and 擞 (sǒu) means 'to shake out' or 'to flick'; together, they evoke the physical image of vigorously shaking off dust or stiffness—like a bird ruffling its feathers before flight. This vivid imagery underscores renewal and readiness.

The word is commonly used in formal or literary contexts, especially in written Chinese or elevated speech. It often appears with subjects like people, spirits, or morale (e.g., 精神抖擞), and rarely stands alone—it typically modifies a noun or follows verbs like 使, 让, or 自己. While not slang, it carries a positive, uplifting connotation and is frequently heard in motivational phrases, news reports about recovery or renewal, or descriptions of energetic performance.