What does "macho up" mean (sense 1)?

To adopt an exaggeratedly tough, masculine persona or attitude, especially in an ostentatious or performative way. Example: "He tried to macho up in front of his friends, but everyone could tell he was terrified."

What does "macho up" mean (sense 2)?

To make something appear more rugged, tough, or overtly masculine in its design or presentation. Example: "The advertising team tried to macho up the product packaging to appeal to a male audience."

Browse all

macho up

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

To act or present oneself in an exaggeratedly tough, masculine way; to perform or adopt stereotypically macho behavior.

In plain English

To start acting very tough and super manly, sometimes in a way that seems fake or overdone.

What does "macho up" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

To adopt an exaggeratedly tough, masculine persona or attitude, especially in an ostentatious or performative way.

"He tried to macho up in front of his friends, but everyone could tell he was terrified."

inseparable

2 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

To make something appear more rugged, tough, or overtly masculine in its design or presentation.

"The advertising team tried to macho up the product packaging to appeal to a male audience."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

'Macho' (from Spanish, meaning excessively masculine) + 'up' (to intensify or adopt a quality). The meaning is largely transparent.

Actually means

To start acting very tough and super manly, sometimes in a way that seems fake or overdone.

Usage tip

Informal and often used ironically or critically to describe exaggerated masculine posturing. Can be self-directed ('I need to macho up') or used to mock someone performing bravado. Less common than 'man up.' May be considered outdated in gender-aware discourse.

Words that pair with "macho up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

attitude image persona suddenly try to

How to conjugate "macho up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

macho up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

machos up

he/she/it

Past simple

machoed up

yesterday

Past participle

machoed up

have + pp

-ing form

machoing up

continuous

Hear "macho up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "macho up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "macho up"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

act tough butch up man up swagger toughen up

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "macho" All phrasal verbs with "up" More C1-level phrasal verbs