talk up

USAGE SUMMARY

"talk up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a phrasal verb that means to discuss something or someone in a positive or persuasive way, usually in order to promote it. For example, "She managed to talk up her project so the bosses were impressed and it got the green light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Peruvian officials talk up their coca eradication.

The Economist

I don't talk up to whites.

The Guardian - Books

Jeremy Hunt can talk up their industriousness.

The Guardian

Entrepreneurs plan a road trip to talk up immigration reform.

The New York Times

Smartly, he refuses to talk up his Masters prospects.

The Guardian - Sport

Anybody can talk up a show before it opens.

The New York Times - Arts

She can talk up a storm, and fast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Xu was eager to talk up the city's artistic importance.

The New Yorker

Jordan is keen to talk up the film's documentary basis.

The Guardian - Film

"I don't really like to talk up our chances.

The Guardian - Sport

Before the match, Lepchenko had been happy to talk up her chances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talk up" when you want to positively promote or emphasize something to create a favorable impression. It is effective in marketing, public relations, and general communication to highlight the benefits and advantages of a subject.

Common error

While "talk up" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "extol", "commend", or "recommend" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "talk up" is as a phrasal verb. It functions to describe the act of promoting or praising something to enhance its perceived value or attract attention. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "talk up" is used to describe the act of positively promoting or emphasizing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve "talk up" for neutral to informal settings, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. When using "talk up", ensure that the context aligns with the intention of creating a favorable impression without exaggerating or distorting facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote

Focuses on actively advancing or advocating for something.

praise

Suggests expressing approval or admiration for something.

extol

Implies praising something enthusiastically and publicly.

endorse

Suggests giving public approval or support to something.

tout

Highlights advertising or publicizing something, often assertively.

commend

Implies formally or officially praising someone or something.

recommend

Suggests advising or endorsing something as beneficial.

plug

Informal term for promoting something, often commercially.

advertise

Focuses on making something known to the public to increase sales.

exaggerate

Emphasizes overstating or magnifying the importance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "talk up" to describe promoting something positively. For example, "The company used a marketing campaign to talk up its new product."

What are some alternatives to "talk up"?

You can use alternatives such as "promote", "extol", or "praise" depending on the context.

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

While "talk up" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives in such cases.

What's the difference between "talk up" and "exaggerate"?

"Talk up" means to promote positively, while "exaggerate" means to overstate or magnify something beyond the truth. The former aims to create a favorable impression, whereas the latter may distort reality.