Phrase guide

listen up

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To listen closely; to pay attention.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, imperative, informal, often

Qualifier: potentially derogatory

Examples

  • I'm only gonna say this once, so you really need to listen up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: give ear, lend an ear, hear ye

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From listen + up. First use appears c. 1933, although the exact date of its first use is uncertain. See cite below.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: høre efter — Translations