Jump to:

• 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.

---

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

---

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]

---

Etymology

Origin of crank-up

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

Example Sentences

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

They could crank up the returns with borrowed money without having to worry that you’d want to pull out in a downturn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

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

These outsiders click off the news and crank up the music.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

But as Grandpa bent to crank up the engine, she reached forward again and, with a chessy-cat grin at me, turned the switch back off!

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns