What does “To act up” mean?
The phrase "to act up" means 'to behave badly' or 'to misbehave.' When someone says that someone or something is 'acting up', they are referring to the person's or thing's disruptive or improper behavior.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
The kids acted up at the grocery store.
Example
My computer acts up whenever I try to open multiple programs.
Example
The dog acts up when it's left alone for too long.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Describing children's behavior
The kids acted up at the grocery store.
The children act up when they're tired.
- 2Describing malfunctioning or misbehaving objects
My computer acts up whenever I try to open multiple programs.
The car acted up on the way to work.
- 3Describing animals' behavior
The dog acts up when it's left alone for too long.
The cat acted up and knocked over a vase.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "to act up" is a common slang expression that originated in English. It is widely used in informal conversations and has become a part of everyday language.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The phrase "to act up" is typically used within a sentence to describe someone's behavior. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "to act up" is not offensive. It is a slang term used to describe someone's behavior.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "to act up" is commonly used by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a casual expression that can be understood by most English speakers.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "to act up" is not specific to any particular accent or region. It is used in English-speaking countries worldwide.
