charge up

Idioms  

1. Excite, agitate, stimulate, as in The new preacher can really charge up the congregation, or Planning Beth's wedding got her mom all charged up. This term originally was used for narcotic stimulation but now is used more broadly. [Slang; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

As part of the BBC's investigation, the company involved - 24/7 Locksmiths UK - was secretly filmed trying to charge up to 10 times the original quote for the job.

From BBC

Electrification revenue charged up 35.7% to $2.96 billion, owing to particularly strong demand for grid equipment in the Middle East and North America.

From MarketWatch

The managers are charging up to $4,000 to permit his official ownership registration to change from “Frank Sullivan” to “Frank Sullivan Family, LLC.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The large batteries the couple have bought, like many city residents, to charge up when electricity does return are of no use when it comes to heating appliances because they run down so quickly.

From BBC

Lane rental schemes mean utility companies are charged up to £2,500 per day for works on certain busy routes at peak times.

From BBC

Related Words

• brace
• build up
• buttress
• consolidate
• entrench
• protect
• reinforce
• secure
• shore up
• step up
• strengthen