Phrase guide

talk up

verb · 3 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

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To talk about (something or someone) to make it seem as good as possible or to draw positive attention to it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • The restaurant had been talked up way too much, that it left me somewhat disappointed.
  • Charlie's been talking up Robbie in an attempt to set him up with Lucy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To talk louder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To speak in a plain and candid way, or with bold impudence.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Ukrainian: вихваля́ти (vyxvaljáty) — to glorify