acting up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is behaving in a naughty or mischievous way, especially a child. For example, "My son was acting up when I asked him to do his chores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's really acting up now.

The New Yorker

It's her femininity acting up".

The New Yorker

"But we gonna be acting up tonight".

The New York Times - Arts

"Lately it's been acting up," he said.

The New York Times

The oven had been acting up for days.

The New York Times - Food

Just some drunk guy acting up on his own.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's acting up on him again," Morgan said.

The New York Times - Sports

"And this time, I start acting up," he said.

The New York Times

But forget acting: acting up has increasingly been his forte.

The Guardian - Music

They all start acting up at about the same time.

The New Yorker

Many people wait until their symptoms start acting up before taking allergy medications.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the behavior of a person, "acting up" implies a temporary deviation from their normal conduct, often due to a specific reason like stress or boredom. It suggests a need for understanding or intervention rather than outright condemnation.

Common error

Avoid using "acting up" to describe long-term personality traits. It's best suited for temporary behavioral changes or malfunctions, not inherent characteristics. Instead, you should consider the use of words like "difficult" or "unreliable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a temporary state of misbehavior or malfunction. Ludwig AI showcases numerous examples where "acting up" denotes erratic behavior in both animate and inanimate subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "acting up" is a versatile term used to describe temporary misbehavior or malfunction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. It carries an informal tone and serves to communicate concern or observation about a change in behavior or functionality. While "acting up" is generally suitable for everyday language, it's crucial to avoid using it for describing permanent traits and choose more formal synonyms like "misbehaving" or "malfunctioning" depending on the situation to adjust the tone of your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misbehaving

Focuses specifically on behavioral issues, often in a social context.

malfunctioning

Specifically refers to the failure of a device or system to operate correctly.

playing up

Similar to "acting up", but more commonly used in British English.

being naughty

Describes misbehavior, particularly in children.

playing around

Suggests mischievous or playful behavior that may be disruptive.

causing trouble

Emphasizes the disruptive or problematic consequences of the behavior.

on the fritz

Informal way to describe something malfunctioning or not working correctly.

giving trouble

Highlights that someone or something is presenting difficulties.

being disruptive

Focuses on the disturbance caused by the behavior.

kicking up

Implies a sudden outburst of negative behavior or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "acting up" in a sentence?

You can use "acting up" to describe someone behaving badly or something malfunctioning. For instance, "The children were acting up during the movie", or "My car has been acting up lately".

What does it mean when someone is "acting up"?

When someone is "acting up", it means they are behaving in a troublesome or disruptive manner, often unexpectedly. This can apply to people, animals, or even inanimate objects.

Are there any synonyms for "acting up"?

Yes, some synonyms for "acting up" include "misbehaving", "malfunctioning", or "playing up" depending on the context.

Is "acting up" formal or informal?

"Acting up" is generally considered informal and is suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "behaving inappropriately" or "malfunctioning".