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Phrasal verbs "kick up" vs "move up"

Differences between kick up and move up

Kick up means to cause a commotion or stir up trouble, while move up means to advance or progress to a higher position or level.

Meanings and Definitions: kick up vs move up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Kick up

  • 1Cause trouble or pain.

    My back KICKS UP when it gets cold.

Move up

  • 1Move to make space.

    Could you MOVE UP and let me sit down?

  • 2Move to a higher level.

    They MOVED her UP to senior management.

Usage Examples: kick up, move up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

kick up

Example

When the weather changes, my allergies kick up.

Example

Her knee kicks up whenever she runs too much.

move up

Example

Please move up so I can sit down.

Example

She moves up the ladder of success quickly.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Kick up

make a fuss

To complain or protest loudly and publicly about something.

Example

She always makes a fuss when her food is not cooked to her liking.

stir things up

To cause trouble or create chaos in a situation.

Example

The politician's speech stirred things up among the crowd and led to a heated debate.

raise hell

To cause a lot of trouble or disturbance.

Example

When the team lost the game, the fans raised hell and started throwing objects on the field.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Move up

climb the ladder

To advance in one's career or social status through hard work and dedication.

Example

He started as an intern and worked his way up to become the CEO. He really knows how to climb the ladder.

step up

To take on more responsibility or a higher position.

Example

After the manager resigned, she decided to step up and apply for the vacant position.

level up

To improve or advance one's skills or abilities.

Example

He spent hours practicing his guitar and finally leveled up his playing to impress his bandmates.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “kick”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in kick up vs move up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: kick up or move up?

In everyday conversation, people use move up more often than kick up. This is because move up is used in various contexts such as career advancement, academic achievement, and social status. Kick up is less common and usually used in negative situations where someone is causing trouble or making a scene.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of kick up and move up

Move up is a more formal phrase than kick up. It's suitable for professional and academic settings where a polished tone is required. On the other hand, kick up is an informal phrase used in casual conversations with friends and family.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of kick up and move up

The tone of kick up and move up can differ based on context. Kick up often carries a negative or confrontational tone, while move up typically has a positive and ambitious tone.

kick up & move up: Synonyms and Antonyms

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