to magic up
1
7.0
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
hacer aparecer
- She managed to magic up a delicious meal from almost nothing in the fridge.
Examples
-
If you can't find a taxi, I'll try to magic up a ride for you.
-
He seemed to magic up energy whenever it was really needed.
-
She can magic up a solution in no time!
-
Can you magic up some extra chairs for the party?
-
The chef can always magic up a delicious dessert in no time.
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When we need a quick solution, she can magic up ideas that amaze everyone.
-
He managed to magic up a spare part for the broken machine just when we needed it.
Synonyms
40
6.2
To bring a memory to mind or make something seem to appear by magic
3
5.5
Make something appear, disappear, or change as if by using a special power
How Fast
25
5.8
- Informal
1
7.0
62
3.0
40
6.2
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to create or produce something quickly or unexpectedly, as if by magic' is largely inferable from 'magic' (to cause change as if by supernatural power) combined with the particle 'up' (which often signals creation, completion, or an increase in many phrasal verbs). However, the usage is colloquial and metaphorical as a phrasal verb, so the exact sense and register may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
Magic up brings to mind a magician making things appear out of a hat, and the words magic and up suggest something appearing suddenly from nowhere. So to magic up something means to 'create or produce it quickly or unexpectedly'.