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gin up

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To make up or manufacture something — like fake excitement or a false story — to get what you want.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To artificially create or manufacture enthusiasm, support, or a controversy, often dishonestly.

"The campaign tried to gin up voter anger with misleading statistics."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To produce or put together something quickly, sometimes with the implication of low quality or manipulation.

"They ginned up a report overnight to present to the board in the morning."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily American English. Often used in political journalism to describe the artificial manufacture of outrage, controversy, or enthusiasm. Carries a negative connotation of dishonesty or manipulation. Origin is disputed — possibly from 'ginger up' or from 'engine' (to engineer).

Commonly used with

outrage controversy support enthusiasm fear charges

Forms

Base
gin up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gins up
he/she/it
Past simple
gined up
yesterday
Past participle
gined up
have + pp
-ing form
gining up
continuous

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