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act up

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act up

1. Of a person, to behave poorly or inappropriately. If you act up in class, you will be sent to the principal's office.

2. Of a thing, to malfunction or operate incorrectly. My car's transmission started acting up during my commute to work. My phone acted up again this morning; I think I need to take it to a professional.

3. Of a medical condition, to become problematic or troublesome, usually after a period of remission. Jake played football with his friends today, and now his old knee injury is acting up. It's springtime, so of course my allergies are acting up again.

See also: act, up

act up

[for a thing or a person] to behave badly. This car is acting up again.

See also: act, up

act up

1. to behave badly Sometimes kids act up because they just want attention.

Usage notes: usually used to refer to children

2. to operate badly My computer began acting up and I lost a whole day's work.

3. to become active Her allergies acted up when she went hiking in the woods.

Usage notes: usually used to refer to a medical condition

See also: act, up

act up

1. Misbehave. For example, With an inexperienced rider, this horse always acts up. [c. 1900]

2. Malfunction, as in I'm not sure what's wrong with my car, but the transmission is acting up. In both usages up means "abnormally."

See also: act, up

act up

v.

1. To misbehave: The driver stopped the school bus because the kids were acting up.

2. To cause problems by operating strangely or unexpectedly: The thermostat suddenly started acting up, and now it's always too hot or too cold in here.

3. To become active or troublesome after a period of operating normally: My knee starts acting up when the weather is cold.

See also: act, up