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

A rapid, broad, upward movement in financial markets driven by investor fear of missing out on gains, rather than by strong economic fundamentals. Example: "Some analysts are warning that the current stock market behavior looks less like a bull run and more like a melt up."

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melt up

C1 formal inseparable intransitive

A rapid, sustained, and often irrational rise in the price of assets or a financial market, driven by fear of missing out rather than economic fundamentals.

In plain English

When prices in a market go up very fast because everyone is scared of missing out on profits — not because the economy is really that good.

What does "melt up" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

1 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

A rapid, broad, upward movement in financial markets driven by investor fear of missing out on gains, rather than by strong economic fundamentals.

"Some analysts are warning that the current stock market behavior looks less like a bull run and more like a melt up."

“

The question isn't whether stocks are going up — it's whether this is a genuine bull market or a dangerous melt-up.
— Common phrasing in financial commentary; widely used in publications such as Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal during the 2017–2018 market rally

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

A play on 'melt down' reversed — instead of collapse, an upward, liquid-like surge that defies gravity.

Actually means

When prices in a market go up very fast because everyone is scared of missing out on profits — not because the economy is really that good.

Usage tip

A finance and economics jargon term. It is the market equivalent of 'FOMO' (fear of missing out) driving irrational exuberance. Used primarily by analysts, investors, and financial journalists. Relatively recent term, popularized particularly during the late 2010s bull market. Not used outside financial contexts.

Words that pair with "melt up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

market stocks equities rally bull market investors

How to conjugate "melt up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

melt up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

melts up

he/she/it

Past simple

melted up

yesterday

Past participle

melted up

have + pp

-ing form

melting up

continuous

Hear "melt up" in the wild

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

Other ways to say "melt up"

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

FOMO-driven rally irrational exuberance market surge rally

Keep exploring

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

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