Big up Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɪɡ/ /ˈəp
BIG-uhp
bˈɪɡ/ /ˈʌp
BIG-up
Definition
An informal expression meaning to praise, give credit, or show respect to someone, especially in public or within a community.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly in informal contexts and slang, especially in British, Caribbean, and hip-hop-influenced English. Often follows 'to' ('to big up someone') or stands alone in exclamations. Not used in formal writing. Common in phrases like 'big up to...'.
Spanish: felicitar - reconocer - alabar (jerga)Portuguese (BR): elogiar - dar crédito (gíria)Portuguese (PT): elogiar - dar crédito (gíria)Chinese (Simplified): 表扬 - 赞美 (俚语)Chinese (Traditional): 表揚 - 讚美 (俚語)Hindi: सराहना करना - बड़ी तारीफ (स्लैंग)Arabic: يمدح - يحتفي (عامية)Bengali: প্রশংসা করা - স্বীকৃতি প্রদান (স্ল্যাং)Russian: хвалить - выражать уважение (сленг)Japanese: 称賛する - 賞賛を送る (スラング)Vietnamese: khen ngợi - tán dương (tiếng lóng)Korean: 칭찬하다 - 인정하다 (속어)Turkish: övmek - takdir etmek (argo)Urdu: تعریف کرنا - سراہنا (سلینگ)Indonesian: memuji - mengakui (slang)
Example Sentences
Let's big up our teacher for all her hard work.
basic
He likes to big up his friends on social media.
basic
You should big up your teammates when they do well.
basic
Big up to everyone who helped organize the festival!
natural
Much respect—gotta big up my crew for this win.
natural
Any artist out there trying hard—big up yourselves!
natural