talk up

talk up — verb

  • talk uppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • talks up3rd person singular
  • talking up-ing form
  • talked uppast simple

1. to speak about something in a very positive way to make other people interested

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to speak about something in a very positive way to make other people interested in it or approve of it, especially when trying to gain support or sales

例句

The store manager talked up the new smartphone to every customer who walked in.

talk up + [product] + to + [audience]

During the team meeting, Shirin talked up her proposal for a flexible work schedule.

同義詞
  • promote

    more formal, often used for official marketing campaigns

  • boost

    focuses on raising the popularity or status of something

  • hype

    stronger implication of exaggeration or excitement; more informal

反義詞
  • talk down

    to speak about something in a negative way to reduce its value or appeal

文法句型

talk up + [noun phrase]

talk + [noun] + up

用法筆記

The object can be placed either after the particle ('talk up the new policy') or between the verb and the particle ('talk the new policy up'), though the first pattern is far more common.

常見錯誤

❌He talked up about the new software.
✅He talked up the new software.
💡'talk up' takes a direct object; do not add 'about' after it.

2. to say what you think directly and without holding back, especially when others

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to say what you think directly and without holding back, especially when others are being quiet or avoiding a difficult topic

例句

Priya talked up about the unfair shift schedule during the team meeting.

talk up + about + [specific issue] at a meeting

At the town hall meeting, Selim talked up about the need for better bus routes.

talk up + about + [topic/issue]

同義詞
  • speak up

    very similar, but 'speak up' can also mean to speak louder; 'talk up' focuses on being direct

  • speak out

    similar but often implies opposition or protest against something

  • voice

    more formal; 'to voice an opinion'

反義詞

文法句型

talk up + about + [topic]

talk up + and + [verb phrase]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (PROMOTE), this sense never takes a direct object. When specifying the topic, use 'about' ('talk up about the problem'). Frequently used in imperatives ('Talk up!').

常見錯誤

❌She talked up the issue at the meeting.' (when meaning she spoke openly about it)
✅She talked up at the meeting and raised the issue.
💡In this sense, 'talk up' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object.