"Turn Up" Explained: Get Ready to Party with This English Slang!
Ever heard someone yell "Let's turn up!" at a party and wondered what they meant? If you're looking to boost your vocabulary building and understand modern slang, you've come to the right place. The phrase "Turn Up" is a popular piece of informal English, especially in American slang, that you'll hear in movies, music, and casual conversations. This guide will break down what "Turn Up" means, how to use it, and help you sound more like a native speaker. Get ready to add some energy to your English!
Table of Contents
- What Does “Turn Up” Mean?
- Context and Usage of “Turn Up”
- Example Sentences with “Turn Up”
- Related Slang Words
- Conclusion
What Does “Turn Up” Mean?
The phrase "Turn Up" (often styled as "turnt up" when describing a state) has a few layers of meaning in English slang words. Primarily, it means to get wild, have fun, increase the energy, or arrive, especially at a party or social gathering with enthusiasm. It conveys a sense of excitement, high energy, and often involves loud music, dancing, and a generally uninhibited atmosphere. Think of it as switching the fun dial to maximum! While the literal meaning of "turn up" can be to appear or arrive, as noted by sources like Merriam-Webster (meaning "to be found especially by chance after being lost" or "to arrive"), the slang usage adds a significant layer of excitement and energy. The feeling is definitely positive and energetic.
More: 'Legendary' Explained: Use This Awesome English Slang
Context and Usage of “Turn Up”
Understanding when and how to use "Turn Up" is key to sounding natural. It's a staple in modern slang.
Who usually says it?
- Young adults and teenagers.
- Social media users (you'll see #TurnUp or #Turnt).
- Music artists, especially in hip-hop and electronic dance music (EDM) genres.
- Anyone looking to express excitement about an upcoming event or current situation.
In what settings?
- Casual conversations with friends.
- Parties, clubs, concerts, and festivals.
- Online chats, social media posts, and text messages.
- Discussions about pop culture events or music.
Tone:
- The tone is almost always casual, fun, energetic, and enthusiastic.
- It's not typically used in formal settings or serious conversations.
- Using "Turn Up" can make you sound cool and in-the-know with current common phrases.
This phrase is all about letting loose and having a good time. It’s a call to action or a description of an already exciting state. Knowing how to use "Turn Up" can really help with your vocabulary building in informal English.
More: 'Epic' Explained: Meaning, Usage, and Examples of This Awesome Slang
Example Sentences with “Turn Up”
Here are a few examples to show you the real-life usage of "Turn Up":
Example 1:
- Person A: "Are you coming to Sarah's birthday party tonight?"
- Person B: "Definitely! I'm ready to turn up and celebrate!"
Example 2:
- Person A: "This DJ is amazing! The music is incredible."
- Person B: "Yeah, this party is seriously turnt up!" (using the adjective form)
Example 3:
- Person A: "What are your plans for New Year's Eve?"
- Person B: "We're going to that big downtown event. It's going to turn up for sure!"
Example 4 (as in 'to arrive'):
- Person A: "Is Mark here yet? The movie's about to start."
- Person B: "Not yet, but he said he'd turn up any minute." (This usage is less about partying and more about simple arrival, but can still carry a casual tone, especially if the context is a fun event.)
Example 5:
- Person A: "I'm so glad exams are over!"
- Person B: "Me too! Let's turn up this weekend to celebrate our freedom!"
These examples show how versatile "Turn Up" can be, from expressing intent to party to describing an energetic atmosphere.
More: Unleash Your Inner Native Speaker: What Does 'Off The Chain' Mean?
Related Slang Words
If you like "Turn Up", you might also find these related English slang words useful for your vocabulary building:
| Related Slang | Meaning & When to Use It | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Lit | Exciting, excellent, or intoxicated. Used for parties, events, or things that are amazing. | “That concert last night was absolutely lit!” |
| Get Down | To dance enthusiastically or to start partying. | “The DJ started playing my favorite song, so it was time to get down!” |
| Hype | Full of excitement and energy, often in anticipation of something. | “There’s so much hype around the new album release.” |
| Go Wild | To behave in an uncontrolled, excited, or unrestrained way. | “When the team scored the winning goal, the crowd started to go wild.” |
These alternatives can help you vary your language and understand more informal English conversations.
Conclusion
So, now you know that "Turn Up" is a vibrant and energetic slang phrase used to describe getting excited, partying hard, or simply arriving with enthusiasm. It’s a fantastic piece of modern slang to add to your repertoire if you want to understand and participate in casual, informal English conversations, especially those related to pop culture and social events. You're now better equipped to recognize it and even use it yourself to sound like a native.
What do you think? Do you have any other examples of how you've heard "Turn Up" used? Share your experiences or try creating your own sentence in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. And if you're keen on more English slang words, check out our other articles!