To invent or fabricate a false accusation, charge, or excuse, typically to harm someone or create a false pretext.
To make up a fake reason or accusation to get someone into trouble.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To invent false accusations, charges, or evidence in order to harm or incriminate someone.
"The opposition leader claimed the charges against him had been trumped up by the government."
He had been arrested on trumped-up charges of subversion.
— Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, 1994
To fabricate a pretext or excuse to justify an action.
"They trumped up a reason to cancel the contract and avoid paying the penalty clause."
Almost always used in the passive form ('trumped-up charges' or 'trumped-up accusations'). The adjective 'trumped-up' is far more common than the verb form. Strongly associated with legal and political contexts. Has no connection to the proper noun 'Trump'; derived from an older sense of 'trump' meaning to deceive.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
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