big-up

transitive verb

ˈbig-ˌəp

big-upped; big-upping; big-ups

US slang

: to praise (someone or something)

But "Thank You," which big-ups the Lord, and "Greetings From NY," which features his 12-year-old son, show Badlands focused on religion and home rather than thug life.

—Justin Hampton, Spin, March 2006

Then he gets around to big-upping the city's (and, as of two days prior, America's) favorite Democratic son.

—Josh Modell, Spin, August 2008

Celebs … big-up her clothes.

—Alexandra Phanor, Vibe, June 2002

A natural charmer, Drake … big-ups the kinds of details most men miss: perfectly done hair and heel-and-handbag combos.

—Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for big-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup