Help center

Phrasal verbs "act up" vs "act upon"

Differences between act up and act upon

Act up means to behave badly or malfunction, while act upon means to take action based on something.

Meanings and Definitions: act up vs act upon

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Act up

  • 1Behave badly or strangely.

    My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.

Act upon

  • 1To take action because of something like information received.

    The police were ACTING UPON a tip off.

  • 2Affect.

    The enzyme ACTS UPON certain proteins.

Usage Examples: act up, act upon in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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.

act upon

Example

The manager decided to act upon the employee's suggestion.

Example

She acts upon the advice of her mentor.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act up

misbehave

To behave badly or inappropriately, especially for children or animals.

Example

The kids were misbehaving in the back seat, so the parents had to pull over and talk to them.

play up

To exaggerate or emphasize something, especially for attention or sympathy.

Example

She always plays up her injuries to get more attention from her friends.

go wrong

To fail or malfunction, especially for machines or technology.

Example

The computer went wrong during the presentation, causing a delay.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act upon

take action on

To act or make decisions based on information or advice.

Example

The company decided to take action on the customer feedback and improve their product's quality.

follow through with

To complete or execute a plan or decision.

Example

After careful consideration, she decided to follow through with the job offer and start a new career path.

put into effect

To implement or enforce a policy, law, or decision.

Example

The government decided to put into effect new regulations to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “act”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Phrasal Verbs with “upon”

Differences in act up vs act upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: act up or act upon?

In daily conversation, people use act up more often than act upon. This is because act up is used to describe misbehaving children, malfunctioning machines, or even our own bodies. Act upon is not used as much. It's mainly used in formal or professional settings when discussing decision-making processes. So, while both phrases are used, act up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act up and act upon

Act up and act upon are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. However, act upon can be used in more formal or professional settings to describe decision-making processes. In these contexts, it can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act up and act upon

The tone of act up and act upon can differ based on context. Act up often carries a negative or frustrated tone when referring to misbehavior or malfunctioning, while act upon typically has a proactive and purposeful tone, especially when referring to decision-making or taking action based on information.

act up & act upon: Synonyms and Antonyms

Act up

Synonyms

Antonyms

Act upon

Synonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!