Phrasal verbs "act up" vs "bolster up"

Differences between act up and bolster up

Act up means to misbehave or malfunction, while bolster up means to support or strengthen something.

Meanings and Definitions: act up vs bolster up

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.

Bolster up

  • 1Give support, reinforce, strengthen.

    We were all scared but she BOLSTERED UP our courage.

Usage Examples: act up, bolster up 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.

bolster up

Example

She always knows how to bolster up my confidence when I'm feeling down.

Example

He bolsters up his team's morale before every game.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act up

To behave badly or inappropriately.

Example

The children were misbehaving in the classroom and not listening to the teacher.

play up

To exaggerate or emphasize something for effect.

Example

The politician tried to play up his accomplishments during the campaign.

kick up a fuss

To make a lot of noise or commotion about something.

Example

The customers kicked up a fuss when they found out the store was closing early.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Bolster up

To make something stronger or more resilient.

Example

The company decided to strengthen its cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches.

prop up

To support or sustain something that is weak or failing.

Example

The government had to prop up the failing economy with stimulus packages.

beef up

To increase or improve something, often by adding more resources or personnel.

Example

The company decided to beef up its marketing department to reach more customers.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “act”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: act up or bolster up?

In daily conversation, people use act up more often than bolster up. This is because act up can be used in a variety of situations, such as describing a child's behavior or a computer's performance. Bolster up is less common and usually used in specific contexts, such as discussing ways to improve a business or organization.

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

Act up and bolster up are both informal phrases that can be used in casual conversations. However, bolster up may be considered slightly more formal because it is often used in professional settings.

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

The tone of act up and bolster up can differ based on context. Act up often carries a negative or frustrated tone when referring to misbehavior or malfunction, while bolster up typically has a positive and supportive tone, especially when referring to improving something.

act up & bolster up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Act up

Synonyms

Antonyms

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