up

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something's up

set phrase An expression used to indicate that a situation is or seems suspicious, peculiar, or out of the ordinary. Hey, something's up! The reactor isn't supposed to be putting out this much energy! A: "This is the place they wanted to do the meeting, right?" B: "Yeah, but something's up. I've got a feeling we've been double-crossed!"

See also: up

up

informal

1. adjective Happy, euphoric, optimistic, etc. The kids have been so up ever since they found out we're going to Disneyland this summer. He seems really up lately. He must have gotten that promotion. I've been feeling really up now that I know I got into my first choice college!

2. adjective Going on; happening. Hey, something is up with this computer. It's making all sorts of weird noises. Hey, Tom, good to see you! What's up with you?

3. adjective Keenly aware (of) or well informed (about). I'm not really up on French cinema, if I'm honest. It's never been something I've had much interest in.

4. adjective Ready or able (to do something). I'm sorry, but I don't feel up for a night out. Scott and I broke up last night. He says he's up for the game, Coach, but you saw him trying to run out there. I think his injury is still really bothering him.

5. noun, slang Any recreational drug, typically an amphetamine, taken as a stimulant. Short for "uppers." I got hooked on ups in college when I took them to help me study for long hours. He gave me an up and we danced all night long.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

something's up

something is going to happen; something is going on. Everybody looks very nervous. I think something's up. From the looks of all the activity around here, I think something's up.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

up

1. mod. happy; cheery; not depressed; upbeat. I’m up today. Let’s celebrate.

2. tv. to increase something. She tried to up the price on me, thinking I wouldn’t notice.

3. in. to take a stimulant drug. Ted upped before going in to take the test.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.