act up
The phrase "act up" can describe misbehavior, malfunctioning devices, or worsening health conditions.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To behave disruptively or cause trouble.
Example
- The children tend to act up when they're bored.
- I could hear the dog acting up in the backyard.
B2Technology
(informal)To stop functioning properly or malfunction.
Example
- My computer started acting up just before the deadline.
- The washing machine is acting up again.
B2Health
(informal)To become painful or problematic again after a period of improvement.
Example
- Her old knee injury started acting up during the hike.
- My back acts up whenever I sit for too long.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "act up":
bug upact outplay upkick upflare upmess uphave a fitbugger upact a foolpipe upbear upgo awryjerk uprark uphack upfoul upmess aboutnut upgoof upact one's agechimp outfight upbung upstick upgee upact onmess aroundstuff upmuck upmuss upburst upmessed upjump up