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

Andre Harris is a pawn in a debate that has car buffs across Maryland revved up: What should qualify as a historic vehicle?

From The Wall Street Journal

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

The global race to clean up metals production has revved up demand to replace fossil coal inputs, Mennell said.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

He revved up his real-estate activities, working with a young neighbor to place big, long-term wagers, unusual for a nonagenarian.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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