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rev up

B1 informal separable both
In simple words

To make an engine roar louder, or to get yourself or others very excited and ready to go.

Literal meaning: To increase the revolutions (speed) of an engine upward.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To increase the speed of a vehicle's engine by pressing the accelerator, especially while the vehicle is stationary.

"He revved up the engine before pulling out onto the motorway."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To increase energy, excitement, or enthusiasm in a person or group.

"The coach revved up the team with an inspiring speech before the final."

"We need to rev up our base."

— Common expression used in US political commentary, e.g. CNN election coverage (2020)
Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

To increase the pace, output, or intensity of a process or activity.

"The factory revved up production to meet the holiday demand."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Literally refers to pressing the accelerator while stationary to raise engine RPM. Figuratively very common in informal American English to describe energizing a crowd, situation, or process. 'Rev' comes from 'revolution' (engine rotations per minute).

Commonly used with

engine crowd economy production audience machine

Forms

Base
rev up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
revs up
he/she/it
Past simple
reved up
yesterday
Past participle
reved up
have + pp
-ing form
reving up
continuous

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Synonyms

ramp up fire up energize crank up pump up gear up

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