listen up
A2 informal intransitive
In simple words
Stop what you're doing and pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Literal meaning: To direct your listening upward — 'up' adds urgency and directionality, as if raising your attention.
Meanings
1 A2
idiomatic
informal
Used as an imperative to tell a group or person to pay immediate attention to what is about to be said.
"Listen up, everyone — the schedule has changed and we need to leave an hour earlier."
"Listen up, maggots. You are not special."
— Fight Club (film, 1999), spoken by Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt)
2 A2
idiomatic
informal
Used informally to preface an important or serious piece of information, even in one-on-one conversation.
"Listen up, because I'm only going to explain this once."
Usage notes
Almost always used as an imperative. Common in American English, military contexts, classrooms, and sports coaching. Can sound bossy or authoritative; rarely used in formal written English.
Commonly used with
everyone class team people troops guys
Forms
Base
listen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
listens up
he/she/it
Past simple
listened up
yesterday
Past participle
listened up
have + pp
-ing form
listening up
continuous
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Synonyms
pay attention hear me out take note heads up attention please lend me your ears
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