1 C1 idiomatic informal
To falsify or fake something such as a document, alibi, or piece of evidence.
"The accountant had phonied up the expense reports for months before anyone noticed."
separable
phony up
C1 informal separable transitive
To falsify or fabricate something; to make something appear genuine when it is not.
In plain English
To make a fake version of something so it looks real.
What does "phony up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
American spelling variant of 'phoney up'. Informal and fairly rare. More commonly found in American English. Typically refers to documents, evidence, excuses, or credentials. More common in spoken or informal written contexts. Preferred alternatives in formal writing include 'forge', 'fabricate', or 'falsify'.
Words that pair with "phony up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
documents evidence credentials excuse alibi records
How to conjugate "phony up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
phony up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
phonies up
he/she/it
Past simple
phonied up
yesterday
Past participle
phonied up
have + pp
-ing form
phonying up
continuous
Hear "phony up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "phony up"
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