big up
To say great things about someone to make them look good or to give them credit.
Meanings
To publicly praise, promote, or show admiration for someone or something.
"I want to big up my whole team — none of this would have happened without them."
"Big up yourself."
— Common Jamaican Patois expression, widely used in Caribbean music and popularised globally through reggae and dancehall culture.
To exaggerate the importance or quality of something in order to promote it.
"The marketing team spent months bigging up the product before it was even released."
Originally from Jamaican Patois and strongly associated with hip-hop and urban culture. Now widely used in British English casual speech. Often used to acknowledge someone's achievements or to recommend them. 'Big up yourself' is a Caribbean expression of encouragement.
Commonly used with
Forms
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