Play on words, really wicked, go back and give them a boost (5,2)
I believe the answer is:
liven up
'give them a boost' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'play on words really wicked go back' is the wordplay.
'play on words' becomes 'pun' (synonyms).
'really wicked' becomes 'evil' (associated in meaning. I am not sure about the 'really' bit.).
'go back' is a reversal indicator.
'pun'+'evil'='punevil'
'punevil' backwards is 'LIVEN UP'.
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for liven up that I've seen before include "what stimulant will do" , "Become more animate" .)