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• crank-up
  crank-up

  noun

  an act or instance of cranking up.
• crank up
  crank up

  verb

  to increase (loudness, output, etc)

crank-up

American  

[krangk-uhp] / ˈkræŋkˌʌp /

noun

1. an act or instance of cranking up.

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crank up British  

verb

1. to increase (loudness, output, etc)

   he cranked up his pace

2. to set in motion or invigorate

   news editors have to crank up tired reporters

3. (intr, adverb) to inject a narcotic drug

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crank up Idioms  

1. Get started, as in The theater season is cranking up with four benefit performances . This expression transfers the literal sense of crank , “operate a motor by turning a crank,” to starting any activity. [ Slang ; 1930s]

2. Stimulate or intensify one's efforts. For example, We've got to crank up enthusiasm for this new product , or Close to the election the campaign really cranked up . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of crank-up

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase crank up

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crank-up crank up

Borthwick's selections over the campaign have been getting more adventurous, but this was a crank-up of the curveball.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025

She said Anderson was able to "crank up" his "darker personality characteristics" to succeed in his environment, something that was in "the sweet spot that most people can't attain".

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

There are limits on how much power each company can draw from the public power grid so fast-growing industries can’t just crank up their consumption whenever they want.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026

Though Americans crank up the thermostat every winter, price increases for electricity and gas utility bills were not as sharp at the same point last year.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026

All it takes is a few clicks of her remote to crank up one of the many flaming yule logs that TV offers, and voila: a maintenance-free, rustic glow is achieved.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

I didn’t see it till after Grandpa and Miss Love climbed in the back seat and I went around to crank up.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

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