shoot up

USAGE SUMMARY

"shoot up" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is typically used to describe increasing sharply, as in, "Stock prices shot up this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Shoot up heroin alone".

The Guardian

Unemployment will shoot up, wages may fall.

The Economist

Rates'll probably shoot up after Christmas.

The New Yorker

Great flames shoot up behind him.

The New Yorker

Eyebrows ought to shoot up to hairlines.

The Economist

So I shoot up there.

The New York Times - Arts

Will oil prices shoot up?

The New York Times

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People's careers can shoot up quickly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hands shoot up as several children shout out answers.

The New York Times

"I'm not going to shoot up the entire room.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sudden increase in numbers, use "shoot up" to convey a sense of rapid and significant growth, such as "Sales shot up after the marketing campaign".

Common error

Avoid using "shoot up" in contexts where a gentler increase is meant. Using "increased moderately" would be more appropriate in cases where growth is steady and gradual, while "shoot up" implies a more significant spike.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shoot up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb indicating a sudden and rapid increase or ascent. It can also function as a verb describing intravenous drug use, as shown in examples by Ludwig. The specific function depends on the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoot up" is a versatile phrasal verb that is commonly used to describe a rapid increase or intravenous drug use. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used. While frequently found in news and media, its formality varies depending on the context. When selecting this phrase, consider the audience and the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives such as "increase rapidly" or "inject intravenously" may be more appropriate for formal or sensitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase rapidly

Focuses on the speed of increase, omitting the directional or specific action implied in "shoot up".

skyrocket

Implies a very rapid and dramatic increase, similar to the intensity of "shoot up".

rise sharply

Emphasizes the sharp nature of the increase, similar to "shoot up" but less forceful.

surge

Indicates a sudden and powerful increase, closely related to "shoot up" in meaning.

erupt

Captures the sudden and forceful nature of an increase, similar to a volcano erupting.

inject intravenously

Specifically refers to the drug-related meaning of "shoot up", focusing on the method of administration.

administer drugs intravenously

A more formal and clinical way to describe the drug-related meaning of "shoot up".

ascend quickly

Highlights the upward movement aspect, suitable for literal contexts but less applicable to figurative uses.

grow exponentially

Emphasizes the rate of growth, suggesting a mathematical progression rather than a sudden burst.

gain altitude rapidly

Specifically refers to gaining height, suitable for physical contexts rather than abstract increases.

FAQs

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

You can use "shoot up" to describe a rapid increase, as in "The price of oil "shot up" after the announcement" or to refer to intravenous drug use, as in "He admitted to "shooting up" heroin".

What's a less informal alternative to "shoot up" when referring to drug use?

Instead of saying "shoot up", you can use more formal phrases such as "inject intravenously" or "administer drugs intravenously".

What can I say instead of "shoot up" when describing a rapid increase?

You can use alternatives like "increase rapidly", "rise sharply", or "skyrocket" depending on the context.

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

The appropriateness of using "shoot up" depends on the context. While acceptable in news reporting and some informal writing, more formal alternatives like "increase rapidly" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.