act up

1 to behave badly <the two-year-old was acting up in church so much that her dad had to take her outside> Synonyms act out, misbehave, carry onRelated Words misconduct; disobey, rebel; clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, kid (around); show off; roughhouseNear Antonyms obey; acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit; comply, conform; check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress, restrain

2 to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior <you should have seen the boys acting up when they put on their aprons> Synonyms cut up, clown (around), fool around, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), showboat, show off, skylarkRelated Words carry on, misbehave; roughhouse; caper, cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp; carouse, maffick, revel, roar, wassail