bum up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bum up" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and may be considered slang.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed to raise or elevate their backside, often in a playful or casual manner. Example: "When you do the yoga pose, make sure to bum up to get the right alignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Although they had 35 servants and had to bum up five tons of coal a day in order to keep warm, they lived comparatively simply amid a great deal of marbled & tapestried magnificence.

The New Yorker

While these people have been head down bum up in logistical wrangling, something has slipped in from the side, to give them yet-another-thing-to-organise.

Huffington Post

Then Hristo Stoichkov, last in line, parked his bum up on the counter, right on the spot where Moore wiped his hands in 1966, purely to make his trophy lift even more memorable.

The Guardian - Sport

Lean forward and you will be slightly more discreet Push your bum up and back slightly while remaining in the squat described above.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus, I can watch Roger Clemens striking out 15 Mariners in a brilliant one-hitter and place his frame right on top of Don Larsen pitching his perfect game (27 Bums up, 27 Bums down) in 1956.

The New York Times

He smiles at his display: "Two bums up!" reads one.

Forbes

Only we bummed it up because the club night was on Thursday so we're not promoting it like the PR wanted.

Vice

He's going away for a while and we hadn't managed to have sex, so I was feeling pretty pent up and bummed out.

Vice

The bum picked up his nickels and they turned to go.

The New Yorker

About a week later, the bum shows up again, asking for Leonard, who again gives him money and tells him not to come back.

The New Yorker

That night, as Rousselot was taking photographs more or less at random on the banks of the Seine, a bum came up and asked him for some change.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bum up" in writing, consider your audience and the overall tone. It's generally more appropriate in informal contexts or when aiming for a lighthearted effect.

Common error

Avoid using "bum up" in formal writing such as academic papers, business reports, or official correspondence. Opt for more professional alternatives like "raise your buttocks" or "elevate your hips" to maintain a serious and respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bum up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, typically used in an imperative sense to instruct someone to raise their buttocks. It is relatively informal. Ludwig examples show this in exercise instructions or casual descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bum up" is a phrasal verb that means to raise or elevate one's buttocks. It's considered grammatically correct, though informal, and is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. As Ludwig AI has shown, while perfectly usable, it may not be suitable for formal writing where more precise or professional language is preferred. If formality is required, consider alternatives like "raise your buttocks" or "elevate your hips". Keep in mind that "bum up" is best used in casual or playful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise your buttocks

More formal and literal way of saying the same thing, avoiding slang.

push your bottom higher

Explicit instruction with no slang.

lift your rear

A polite alternative with a slightly different tone.

get your rear higher

Similar to 'lift your rear' but slightly less formal.

elevate your hips

Specific to exercises or positions where hip elevation is key.

raise your behind

Uses a more euphemistic term for buttocks.

hike up your backside

More descriptive and possibly humorous.

boost your bum

Informal and focused on the visual effect.

jack up your rump

Uses different, slightly archaic vocabulary.

ascend your bum

Formal and unusual phrasing.

FAQs

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

"Bum up" is typically used in informal contexts to instruct someone to raise their buttocks. For example, "When you do the yoga pose, make sure to bum up to get the right alignment."

What are some alternatives to "bum up"?

You can use alternatives like "raise your buttocks", "lift your rear", or "elevate your hips" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bum up" in formal writing?

No, "bum up" is generally considered informal and is not appropriate for formal writing. Use more professional terms like "raise your buttocks" or "elevate your hips" instead.

What does "bum up" mean?

"Bum up" means to raise or elevate one's buttocks. It's often used in a playful or casual context.