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big up

British  

verb

  1. slang (tr, adverb) to make important, prominent, or famous

    we'll do our best to big you up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“We do Flag Day real big up here,” notes one of many cheerful residents of Three Oaks, Mich., in a literally and figuratively flag-waving documentary about the immensely pleasing nature of small-town pride.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 11, 2026

A battle-hardened Test centurion with five Six Nations titles to his name, O'Mahony also knew better than to big up Ireland's chances with three games still remaining.

From BBC Feb. 10, 2025

“People in the neighboring buildings hustled outside with their pets and kids. I’ve never seen a fire that big up close like that.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 26, 2024

“So we need to know who’s in the game and when they’re in the game and the situation up front. They’re really big up front, and they’re a really good offensive line.”

From Washington Post Oct. 7, 2021

I had never seen an actual world globe this big up close and personal, much less had one of my own.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

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