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

Sometimes I’ll let a “Yo Mama” roundtable ensue, and when someone inevitably hits below the belt, I’ll pipe up with words like “too much” or “that’s starting to feel hurtful.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2023

She's not one to pipe up, Do you know who I am?

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2023

That is: constantly lying in wait, ready to pipe up.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2019

The #save hashtags come out; critics write supportive articles; celebrities pipe up.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2019

As the men grumbled, Louie heard one voice pipe up.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand