crank up

USAGE SUMMARY

"crank up" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is usually used to mean increasing the intensity or speed of something, especially in an energetic way. For example, you can say "She cranked up the music to get everyone dancing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How to crank up a car window.

The New York Times - Magazine

I crank up some gravitas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Because 12 volts crank up faster, people think I've converted.

The New York Times

But they might also crank up the satire.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gary Neville is no longer there to crank up hostilities.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, it's time to crank up the air conditioner and hit the swimming pool.

Cornell University

So let's crank up the rate counts a little bit and see what happens.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Plunk your hot chocolate shack down, crank up the Tchaikovsky, and skate!

Princeton University

Music, corny plot twists and overwrought close-ups are all used to crank up the emotions.

Independent

www.tux.at; 00 43 5287 8506 November The first resorts without glaciers crank up their lifts.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

On Sundays, there was ballroom dancing around a crank-up gramophone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crank up" to add a sense of energy and enthusiasm to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing increases in volume, intensity, or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "crank up" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "increase" or "intensify" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crank up" is that of a phrasal verb, typically used transitively. It requires an object, expressing the action of increasing something, as seen in examples where one might "crank up the volume" or "crank up the intensity". Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "crank up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that primarily conveys the action of increasing something, such as volume, intensity, or energy. Ludwig confirms that it's suitable for various contexts, though it leans towards informal and neutral usage. It is very frequent in News & Media contexts. While acceptable, it may not be the best choice for highly formal or scientific writing, where terms like "increase" or "intensify" may be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "increase", "boost", or "intensify" to ensure the tone matches your intended audience. Remember to use "crank up" to inject energy and enthusiasm into your writing, but be mindful of the register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn up

A more informal synonym, especially when referring to volume or intensity.

increase

This is a direct synonym for making something higher or more intense.

boost

Implies raising something to a higher level, often in a more active or forceful way.

intensify

Focuses on making something stronger or more extreme.

amplify

Suggests increasing the volume or power of something, particularly sound or energy.

escalate

Refers to a gradual increase in intensity, often in a conflict or competitive situation.

fire up

Suggests starting or increasing the energy or enthusiasm for something.

step up

Implies taking action to improve performance or increase effort.

accelerate

Focuses on increasing the speed or rate of something.

maximize

Emphasizes achieving the highest possible level or degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "crank up" to describe increasing the intensity of something, like "Let's "crank up" the music" or "They had to really "crank up" the heat in the cold weather".

What can I say instead of "crank up"?

Alternatives to "crank up" include "increase", "boost", or "intensify" depending on the specific context.

Is "crank up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "crank up" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives such as "increase" or "intensify".

What's the difference between "crank up" and "turn up"?

Both "crank up" and "turn up" can refer to increasing something, particularly volume or intensity. "Crank up" often implies a more energetic or enthusiastic increase, while "turn up" is a more general term.