1 B2 informal
To fit a person or item with a microphone, typically before a performance, broadcast, or recording.
"The sound engineer miced up all the panellists before the debate began."
separable
mic up
B2 informal separable transitive
To attach or fit a microphone to a person or piece of equipment.
In plain English
To put a microphone on someone so they can be heard or recorded.
What does "mic up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
(Sports/broadcasting) To equip an athlete or participant with a body microphone for live coverage.
"Several players were miced up during training so fans could hear their conversations on the documentary."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Mic' is an abbreviation of microphone; 'up' signals preparation or completion. To mic up: to prepare someone with a microphone.
Actually means
To put a microphone on someone so they can be heard or recorded.
Usage tip
Common in broadcast, film, theatre, and live event production. Also used in sports coverage when athletes wear radio microphones. The spelling 'mic' has overtaken 'mike' in most contemporary style guides.
Words that pair with "mic up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
speaker performer athlete presenter stage interview
How to conjugate "mic up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
mic up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mics up
he/she/it
Past simple
miced up
yesterday
Past participle
miced up
have + pp
-ing form
micing up
continuous
Hear "mic up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "mic up"
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Keep exploring
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