jack up

phr.v. to lift something heavy, like a car, using a special tool called a jack.

phr.v. to raise or hoist an object, typically a vehicle, using a mechanical jack.

“We had to jack up the car to change the flat tire.”

“The mechanic had to jack up the rear of the truck to inspect the damaged axle before providing a repair estimate.”

phr.v. to suddenly increase a price, fee, or amount by a lot.

phr.v. to increase a price, rate, or quantity, often in a sharp or opportunistic manner.

“The landlord decided to jack up the rent by twenty percent this year.”

“Retailers often jack up their prices just before a major holiday, only to offer seemingly deep discounts during the actual sale.”

Informal

phr.v. to hurt someone or break something badly.

phr.v. to injure, damage, or ruin something; frequently used as a milder alternative to more vulgar terms.

“He really jacked up his knee playing football last weekend.”

“The software update completely jacked up my computer's settings, and now I can't access my files.”

Informal · American English

phr.v. to inject illegal drugs into a vein.

phr.v. to inject a drug intravenously.

“The movie showed the harsh reality of people who jack up in abandoned buildings.”

“The documentary explored the lives of addicts who jack up daily, highlighting the lack of clean needle programs in the city.”

Slang · Vulgar