speak up for

speak up for — phrasal verb

  • speak up forbase form
  • speaks up for3rd person singular
  • speaking up for-ing form
  • spoke up forpast simple
  • spoken up forpast participle

1. to say things in support of a person, group, or idea, especially when others are

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to say things in support of a person, group, or idea, especially when others are criticising them or when doing so takes courage

例句

Meera spoke up for her colleague when the manager unfairly criticised the team's work.

speak up for + person being criticised

The charity works to speak up for the rights of children in developing countries.

同義詞
  • defend

    broader; can include physical or legal protection, not just speech

  • support

    weaker; can mean backing without actively speaking

  • champion

    more formal; suggests enthusiastic, sustained advocacy

  • advocate for

    more formal; often used in legal or policy contexts

反義詞
  • oppose

    to be against someone or something

  • criticise

    to point out faults rather than defend

文法句型

speak up for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Always transitive — the object is the person, group, or thing being supported. The preposition 'for' is obligatory and directly follows 'speak up'; the object cannot be placed between 'speak' and 'up'.

常見錯誤

❌I spoke up my friend in the meeting.
✅I spoke up for my friend in the meeting.
💡'for' is a required preposition after 'speak up' when supporting someone.
❌She spoke her colleague up for.
✅She spoke up for her colleague.
💡the object must follow the whole phrasal verb; it cannot split 'speak up'.