1 C1 neutral
(Mechanical) To increase the torque or tightening force applied to a bolt, nut, or mechanical component.
"The mechanic torqued up all the wheel bolts to the manufacturer's specified setting."
separable
torque up
C1 neutral separable transitive
To increase the rotational force applied to a mechanical fastener or system, or informally to increase intensity.
In plain English
To tighten something more or to increase the power or force of something.
What does "torque up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) To increase intensity, pressure, or effort.
"The coach tried to torque up the team's energy before the final quarter."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To increase the torque (rotational force) applied to something.
Actually means
To tighten something more or to increase the power or force of something.
Usage tip
Primarily a technical/mechanical term used by engineers and mechanics to mean tightening bolts or fasteners to a specified level of rotational force. Informal figurative use (increasing pressure or intensity) is much rarer and largely confined to American English.
Words that pair with "torque up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bolt fastener nut engine pressure tension
How to conjugate "torque up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
torque up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
torques up
he/she/it
Past simple
torqued up
yesterday
Past participle
torqued up
have + pp
-ing form
torquing up
continuous
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