Differences between act out and act up
Act out means to express one's emotions or feelings through behavior, while act up means to misbehave or malfunction.
Meanings and Definitions: act out vs act up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Act out
- 1Perform something with actions and gestures..
They ACTED OUT the story on stage.
- 2Express an emotion in your behaviour.
Their anger is ACTED OUT in their antisocial behaviour.
Act up
- 1Behave badly or strangely.
My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.
Usage Examples: act out, act up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
act out
Example
The children love to act out their favorite fairy tales.
Example
She acts out the scenes from her favorite movies.
act up
Example
My computer is acting up; I think I might have a virus.
Example
Her car acts up whenever it's cold outside.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act out
To express emotions through facial expressions, gestures, or tone of voice.
Example
The actor was able to emote the character's sadness and despair through his performance.
To exaggerate or make something more dramatic than it actually is.
Example
She tends to dramatize every situation, making it hard to know what's really going on.
To imitate or replicate a scene or event.
Example
The students were asked to recreate a historical event in their social studies class.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act up
To fail to work properly or as intended.
Example
The printer malfunctioned and printed out blank pages instead of the document.
play up
To exaggerate or emphasize something, often for attention or sympathy.
Example
He tends to play up his injuries to get more sympathy from his friends.
To behave badly or inappropriately.
Example
The children were misbehaving in class and not following the teacher's instructions.
Differences in act out vs act up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: act out or act up?
In daily conversation, people use act out more often than act up. This is because act out is used to describe a wide range of behaviors, from positive expressions like acting out a scene in a play to negative ones like acting out in anger. Act up is less common and usually used to describe machines or technology that are not working properly.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act out and act up
Act out and act up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act out and act up
The tone of act out and act up can differ based on context. Act out often carries a creative or emotional tone when related to expressing oneself, while act up typically has a negative or frustrated tone, especially when referring to malfunctioning technology or misbehaving children.
