1 C1 neutral
In chess, to advance a pawn to the opponent's back rank and promote it to a queen.
"He sacrificed his bishop just to give his pawn a clear path to queen up on the final rank."
inseparable
queen up
C1 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To promote a pawn to a queen in chess; or informally, to assert oneself with confidence and power.
In plain English
In chess, to turn your pawn into a queen. In everyday slang, to become powerful and bold, like a queen taking charge.
What does "queen up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
Informally, to assert oneself with full confidence, power, and authority; to step into one's power.
"After years of being overlooked, she decided it was time to queen up and demand the promotion she deserved."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move up to the rank of queen — gaining maximum power.
Actually means
In chess, to turn your pawn into a queen. In everyday slang, to become powerful and bold, like a queen taking charge.
Usage tip
Has two main uses: (1) a chess term meaning to promote a pawn to queen rank upon reaching the opponent's back rank; (2) informal/slang, sometimes used in LGBTQ+ or feminist contexts as an empowering call to action — similar to 'man up' but reclaimed and gender-inclusive. The chess sense is the more established use.
Words that pair with "queen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pawn chess endgame board confidence attitude
How to conjugate "queen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
queen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
queens up
he/she/it
Past simple
queened up
yesterday
Past participle
queened up
have + pp
-ing form
queening up
continuous
Hear "queen up" in the wild
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