arc up
C1 informal inseparable both
In simple words
Get angry very suddenly.
Literal meaning: To curve upward like an electrical arc — a sudden surge of energy.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To suddenly become very angry or lose one's temper (Australian/NZ English).
"Dad arced up when he found out the car had a dent in it."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To cause someone to become angry or agitated.
"His sarcastic reply really arced her up."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily Australian and New Zealand English. Describes a sudden burst of anger. Can be used intransitively ('he arced up') or transitively ('that comment arced him up'). Not widely understood outside Australian/NZ contexts.
Commonly used with
anger temper argument comment situation crowd
Forms
Base
arc up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
arcs up
he/she/it
Past simple
arced up
yesterday
Past participle
arced up
have + pp
-ing form
arcing up
continuous
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