Phrasal verb
rev up
Definition
phrasal verb. to make an engine run faster or to increase the energy and activity of something.
phrasal verb. to increase the running speed of an engine by pressing the accelerator; figuratively, to stimulate or accelerate the pace of an activity. The verb functions both transitively and intransitively.
Examples
“He revs up the engine before he starts the car.”
“The band played a fast song to rev up the crowd before the main show started.”
“The government plans to rev up the economy by offering tax breaks to small businesses and investing in infrastructure.”
Examples
simple
“He revs up the engine before he starts the car.”
contextual
“The band played a fast song to rev up the crowd before the main show started.”
complex
“The government plans to rev up the economy by offering tax breaks to small businesses and investing in infrastructure.”
Usage
The verb is optionally separable, meaning you can place the object between 'rev' and 'up'.
Teaching tip
Use the image of a car engine getting louder and faster to explain how the phrase applies to business or social energy.
Pitfall
The driver reved up the motor.
The driver revved up the motor.
The consonant 'v' must be doubled when adding the -ed or -ing suffixes.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
rev + up + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/rev-up