Act up Meaning in English
expression
ˈækt/ /ˈəp
AKT-uhp
ˈækt/ /ˈʌp
AKT-up
Definition
To behave badly or cause trouble, especially about people (often children); also, to not work properly, especially for machines or body parts.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, used for people (kids, pets) misbehaving or for things (machines, body parts) not working right: 'My phone is acting up.' Not used for serious technical issues or formal writing.
Spanish: portarse mal - funcionar malPortuguese (BR): fazer bagunça - dar problema (funcionar mal)Portuguese (PT): portar-se mal - avariar (funcionar mal)Chinese (Simplified): 捣乱 - 出故障Chinese (Traditional): 搗亂 - 出故障Hindi: शरारत करना - ख़राब होनाArabic: يسيء التصرف - يعطل (جهاز أو آلة)Bengali: বেয়াদপি করা - ঝামেলা করা - সঠিকভাবে কাজ না করাRussian: барахлить - капризничать - шалитьJapanese: 調子が悪くなる - いたずらをする - 言うことを聞かないVietnamese: trục trặc - nghịch ngợm - gây rốiKorean: 말썽을 부리다 - 제대로 작동하지 않다Turkish: yaramazlık yapmak - sorun çıkarmak - düzgün çalışmamakUrdu: بدتمیزی کرنا - صحیح کام نہ کرناIndonesian: berulah - rewel - tidak berfungsi dengan baik
Example Sentences
My computer sometimes acts up when it's too hot.
basic
The kids started to act up during dinner.
basic
My stomach acted up after I ate too much candy.
basic
If your phone keeps acting up, maybe you should get it checked.
natural
Sorry, the printer is acting up again. We'll have to wait.
natural
My knee started to act up when I was running yesterday.
natural