get on up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To get up quickly and energetically — often said to excite or motivate someone.
Literal meaning: To move upward and get to a standing position — emphasised and energised.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
An emphatic command to stand up or start moving, often used to motivate or energise people.
"The DJ grabbed the mic and shouted 'Get on up, everybody — this is your moment!'"
"Get on up!"
— James Brown, 'Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine', 1970
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 informal
To move forward or upward with energy and determination.
"Despite his injuries, he got on up and finished the race."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Strongly associated with African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and popularised through funk and soul music, most famously James Brown. Used as a chant, exclamation, or command. Less common outside musical or celebratory contexts.
Commonly used with
dance music crowd come on everybody floor
Forms
Base
get on up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets on up
he/she/it
Past simple
got on up
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten on up
have + pp
-ing form
getting on up
continuous
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