shoot it up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoot it up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to injecting drugs or in a more figurative sense, such as increasing something rapidly. Example: "He decided to shoot it up with enthusiasm during the presentation, energizing the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"They generally shoot it up on weekends," he said.

The New York Times

If you shoot it up one nostril it fills the nasal cavity on both sides.

Independent

If it comes to me, I'm going to shoot it up".

The New York Times - Sports

Regardless of whether you shoot it up or smoke it or snort it, it has the same effect".

The New York Times

Not a bit of it; he was the real thing, a hard-core, every day, drink it down (rather than shoot it up) opium and laudanum man.

The New Yorker

He said his mother was a drug addict, and other addicts would come to their apartment in Odessa, Ukraine, to buy a hit of "rastvor," an opium derivative, and shoot it up, sometimes in front of him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

They shot it up as well".

The New Yorker

It takes a square footprint and shoots it up 73 storeys, trussing the slender shaft up with gigantic red cross-gartered bracing.

The Guardian - Arts

I quit smoking heroin and graduated to shooting it up, which made me feel like a real junkie.

Vice

We shot it all up in Stockton, California.

Huffington Post

Hurry up and shoot it Calderon!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where you mean to 'increase something rapidly,' ensure that "shoot it up" is appropriate for the tone and style. Otherwise, opt for more formal alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "shoot it up" in formal writing or presentations when you intend to convey the sense of rapid increase. More appropriate alternatives include "increase rapidly", "boost", or "escalate".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shoot it up" functions primarily as a verb phrase within a sentence. It can denote the action of injecting a substance intravenously, as seen in Ludwig examples related to drug use. Additionally, it can describe a rapid increase or escalation, similar to the phrase "boost it".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Vice

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "shoot it up" is a versatile phrase with two primary meanings: injecting drugs and rapidly increasing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and predominantly used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is common, it's essential to consider the audience and context due to its informal nature and potential sensitivity, particularly when referring to drug use. Depending on the context, alternatives such as "inject it", "increase rapidly", or "boost it" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inject it

Focuses specifically on the act of injecting something, usually drugs.

fire upon it

Highlights the action of shooting at something with a weapon.

increase it rapidly

Emphasizes the quick and substantial increase of something.

boost it

Suggests improving or raising the level of something.

pump it up

Implies inflating or intensifying something, often used figuratively.

load it up

Highlights the action of injecting a drug

fill it with lead

A more figurative way of saying to shoot something with bullets.

step up

Implies increasing the intensity or effort.

escalate it

Focuses on the progressive increase or intensification of something.

amplify it

Means to increase the intensity or strength of something.

FAQs

What does "shoot it up" mean?

The phrase "shoot it up" has two main meanings. It can refer to injecting drugs intravenously or to rapidly increase something, like sales or prices. The specific meaning depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "shoot it up"?

It's appropriate to use "shoot it up" when you want to describe the act of injecting drugs. However, in other contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "increase it rapidly" or "boost it".

What can I say instead of "shoot it up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inject it" when referring to drugs, or "increase it rapidly" or "boost it" for a rapid increase.

Is "shoot it up" considered formal or informal?

"Shoot it up" is generally considered an informal phrase. It's best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts, opting instead for more neutral or formal language.