Phrasal Verbs

act up

This page is about the phrasal verb act up

INFORMAL

Meaning

If a part of your body or a piece of equipment acts up, it doesn't work properly.

Synonym

play up, malfunction

For example

  • act up My printer is acting up, so I'll have to get it fixed.

  • act up I'll have to give the tennis a miss this week. My knee is acting up again.

Nouns often used as subjects with act up: computer, printer, phone, air conditioner, knee, wrist, ankle, stomach

Quick Quiz

If your computer's acting up, it's

a. performing very well

b. getting an upgrade

c. not working well
a) performing very well b) getting an upgrade c) not working well

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey