1 B1 informal
To contact someone on a higher floor or in a building by using an intercom or internal telephone.
"When the courier arrived at reception, the desk clerk buzzed up to the manager's office."
separable
buzz up
B1 informal separable transitive
To contact someone on an upper floor via intercom, or to make someone feel energetic and excited.
In plain English
Call someone upstairs using an intercom, or make someone feel full of energy.
What does "buzz up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To make someone feel excited, energetic, or stimulated.
"The crowd's reaction really buzzed the performers up before the final act."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To send a buzz (signal or energy) upward to someone.
Actually means
Call someone upstairs using an intercom, or make someone feel full of energy.
Usage tip
The intercom sense is most common in British English (e.g. in hotels or apartment buildings). The 'energise' sense is more figurative and informal.
Words that pair with "buzz up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
guest visitor lobby reception energy excitement
How to conjugate "buzz up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
buzz up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buzzes up
he/she/it
Past simple
buzzed up
yesterday
Past participle
buzzed up
have + pp
-ing form
buzzing up
continuous
Hear "buzz up" in the wild
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