to speak up
135
3.1
- phrasal verb
- /spiːk ʌp/
- Informal
:
alzar la voz
- In meetings, don't hesitate to speak up if you have innovative ideas to contribute.
- speak up in class
- reluctant to speak up
- students speak up
A guy that's really doing well, when he speaks up, you listen to him.
- A guy that's really doing well, when he speaks up, you listen to him.
- And even when women and girls speak up, they want to silence us.
- You're scared to speak up, don't forget.
- Blindness, yes, you speak up too much, you get cancelled.
- They didn't feel safe to speak up when something bad happened to them.
- So however we speak up, it's important that we do.
- You know, people are nervous, they don't want to speak up, air cover.
- At some point, you're going to have to speak up for our women.
- And so here's the beauty by you speaking up and saying something.
- What I do is teach and inspire them to speak up for themselves.
- Then you want to speak up and you want to let your voice be heard.
- And if you still don't speak up, it can go to further hopelessness.
- Sometimes when you speak up, you are able to change the situation.
- You know, I'm tired of not speaking up for myself.
- Because when communities who have been voiceless speak up, the people who fear them get louder.
Examples
-
All I need you to do is speak up and say I expect to win.
-
You actually encourage people to be themselves, to speak up, to be transparent.
-
So however we speak up, it's important that we do.
-
So just speak up, raise your hand, get my attention.
-
We're gonna have you speak up here in a few, OK?
-
We must speak up for those who cannot be heard.
-
Then you want to speak up and you want to let your voice be heard.
-
Ted, if you have an idea, now is the time to speak up.
-
What I do is teach and inspire them to speak up for themselves.
-
At some point, you're going to have to speak up for our women.
Synonyms
229
3.9
To clearly and firmly say your needs or opinions
220
3.4
To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult
152
3.2
To say something aloud, especially an opinion or feeling
21
3.5
Say what you think openly
15
3.2
To say your thoughts or views aloud in public
9
7.0
To say your opinion or complain loudly and openly
7
3.4
Talk honestly without hiding facts or feelings
6
6.0
Speak or act confidently so people notice and respect you
Antonyms
How Assertive
355
3.0
220
3.4
- Informal
135
3.1
318
2.5
90
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to speak more loudly' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'speak' (to utter words) with 'up' used as an intensifier/raise in degree. This verb+particle composition is a common and regular pattern in English (and has parallels in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrasal verb speak up comes from the image of someone stepping forward and lifting their voice, with speak and up showing action and direction. So it means 'to express your opinion openly'.