heighten up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make something stronger or more intense.
Literal meaning: To make something physically taller/higher.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
To make something more intense or more noticeable; an informal or non-standard intensified form of 'heighten'.
"The director used dramatic lighting to heighten up the tension in the final scene."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Considered non-standard or redundant by most usage guides since 'up' adds no new meaning to 'heighten'. Occasionally heard in informal speech. Learners should prefer 'heighten' or 'increase'.
Commonly used with
tension awareness security emotion contrast effect
Forms
Base
heighten up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
heightens up
he/she/it
Past simple
heightened up
yesterday
Past participle
heightened up
have + pp
-ing form
heightening up
continuous
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