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chime up

C1 informal intransitive
In simple words

To suddenly start talking or say something out of the blue in a conversation.

Literal meaning: For a chime or bell to sound upward — by analogy, a voice suddenly rising in a conversation.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To suddenly say something, joining or interrupting a conversation.

"The quiet boy at the back chimed up with the correct answer before anyone else could respond."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Rare and considered somewhat dated or dialectal. Used similarly to 'chime in' or 'pipe up.' Most native speakers would use 'chime in' instead. Occasionally found in older British literature.

Commonly used with

suddenly unexpectedly cheerfully helpfully

Forms

Base
chime up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chimes up
he/she/it
Past simple
chimed up
yesterday
Past participle
chimed up
have + pp
-ing form
chiming up
continuous

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