Pronunciation: /æks ʌp/

Definitions of acts up

verb A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'acts up' is a verb phrase indicating misbehavior or malfunctioning.

Example Sentences

A1 My computer acts up whenever I try to open multiple tabs.

A2 The car always acts up when it's cold outside.

B1 The printer acts up sometimes and refuses to print anything.

B2 Her phone acts up occasionally and freezes for no reason.

C1 The old TV acts up frequently and needs to be repaired.

C2 The software acts up from time to time, causing delays in the project.

Examples of acts up in a Sentence

formal The machine acts up whenever there is a power fluctuation.

informal My computer always acts up when I'm in a hurry.

slang My car acts up every time I try to show it off.

figurative His temper acts up whenever he is stressed out.

Grammatical Forms of acts up

past tense

acted up

plural

acts up

comparative

more acts up

superlative

most acts up

present tense

acts up

future tense

will act up

perfect tense

has acted up

continuous tense

is acting up

singular

acts up

positive degree

acts up

infinitive

to act up

gerund

acting up

participle

acted up

Origin and Evolution of acts up

First Known Use: 1800 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The phrase 'acts up' originated from the English language.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe someone behaving in a disruptive or unruly manner, the term 'acts up' has evolved to also refer to malfunctioning or misbehaving objects or systems.