pipe up

British  

verb

1. to commence singing or playing a musical instrument

   the band piped up

2. to speak up, esp in a shrill voice

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pipe up Idioms  

1. Speak up, as in Finally she piped up, “I think I've got the winning ticket,” or Pipe up if you want more pancakes. This term originally referred to a high, piping tone. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

A little voice pipes up with questions: Is this tacky?

From Salon

Elizabeth Brunch, the biggest teacher’s pet in our school, pipes up from the front row.

From Literature

Frankly, if he wasn't piping up you'd be minded to check his pulse.

From BBC

The incidents prompted a week-long discussion about when piping up can be fun, and how it can quickly get out of hand.

From BBC

His own producers agreed to fund a movie that feels very much his own, which is wonderful even given a few fumbles that could have used an outside voice piping up.

From Los Angeles Times