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

It will take time for the climate pattern to rev up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

To support its policy objectives, China set a fiscal deficit target of around 4% of GDP, in line with last year’s record deficit target, giving policymakers ample room to rev up government spending if needed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 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

The Headingley win means team changes are unlikely, giving Archer an extra week to rev up for Lord's.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2025

Sometimes when he is making an aside he will rev up even further, as if to put in his own verbal parentheses.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

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