rev up

Idioms  

1. Increase the speed or rate of, enliven, stimulate, as in Bill revved up the motor, or They looked for ways to rev up the ad campaign. The verb rev is an abbreviation for revolution, alluding to the rate of rotation of an engine. The idiom dates from about 1920 and has been used figuratively since the mid-1900s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rev up

But as the removal vans rev up again in Downing Street, Burnham's arrival gives Labour a "second chance to make a first impression", according to one minister.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

The "Avatar" films "connect everywhere around the world," Gross said, adding that the 20th Century movie -- like its predecessors -- would likely rev up on "outstanding word-of-mouth."

From Barron's ● Dec. 21, 2025

By all means, raise money, rev up turnout and recruit top candidates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025

If you have a chance to do so, you will rev up the machinery needed to build an atomic bomb as quickly as possible.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2025

We choose the same track and rev up.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Related Words

• advance
• expedite
• further
• hasten
• open up
• quicken
• spur
• step up
• stimulate