speak up
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up
Meanings
Talk more loudly so people can hear you
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“Could you speak up? We can't hear you at the back.”
“Nina spoke up so everyone in the noisy room could hear her.”
“Leo spoke up when the office team could not hear him in the meeting room.”
Say what you think openly, especially about a problem
Why “up”? Someone does not accept pressure, unfair treatment, or authority. They speak or act against it.
“Lena spoke up when she saw a younger student being treated unfairly.”
“I speak up early if I see a problem that could affect the team.”
Don't confuse with
Speak up means make your voice louder. Speak about means address a particular topic in speech.
Test yourself
“Could you speak up? We can't hear you at the back.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
speak about
A contrast learners often mix up
Address a particular topic in speech
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
build up
Same up pattern: increase
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
get up
Same up pattern: increase
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position; Increase in strength
go up
Same up pattern: increase
Rise in price or amount
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