booze-up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “booze-up” mean?
A social event where a lot of alcohol is drunk, often implying a noisy or unrestrained party.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A social event where a lot of alcohol is drunk, often implying a noisy or unrestrained party.
An informal noun for a drinking party or celebration, typically one that is lively, informal, and involves excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Can be used to describe both planned and spontaneous events.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Far more common and established in British English (BrE). In American English (AmE), the term is understood but less frequently used, with alternatives like 'keg party', 'drinking party', or 'bender' being more typical.
Connotations
In BrE, it is a standard, somewhat lighthearted informal term. In AmE, it sounds slightly quaint or like a Britishism.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; low-to-medium frequency in US, mainly used by speakers familiar with British slang.
Grammar
How to Use “booze-up” in a Sentence
to have a booze-upto be (involved) in a booze-upto go to a booze-upa booze-up at [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “booze-up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They're planning to booze up all night after the match.
American English
- We boozed up at the local bar to celebrate.
adjective
British English
- It was a real booze-up atmosphere at the pub.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informally to describe an office party, often in a humorous or slightly critical tone: 'Management approved the budget for the annual booze-up.'
Academic
Virtually never used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Very common in casual conversation among friends to describe plans or recount events: 'We're having a little booze-up for his birthday.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “booze-up”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “booze-up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “booze-up”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Spelling it as 'booz-up' or 'boos-up'.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to booze' or 'to booze up').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal slang but not generally offensive. It is mildly judgemental but often used humorously. A stronger, vulgar synonym in British English is 'piss-up'.
It is understood, but it will sound distinctly British. An American is more likely to say 'drinking party', 'kegger', or just 'party' in a similar context.
All 'booze-ups' are parties, but not all parties are 'booze-ups'. A 'booze-up' explicitly centres on the consumption of large amounts of alcohol. A children's birthday party or a formal reception would never be called a booze-up.
Yes, the related phrasal verb is 'to booze up' (e.g., 'They boozed up all night'). The simple verb is 'to booze' (to drink alcohol).
A social event where a lot of alcohol is drunk, often implying a noisy or unrestrained party.
Booze-up is usually informal, slang in register.
Booze-up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbuːz ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbuz ˌəp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a meeting, it's a booze-up in disguise.”
- “The Christmas party turned into a proper booze-up.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "We BOOZE UP our glasses to have a BOOZE-UP." The phrasal verb 'to booze up' (to drink heavily) is directly related to the noun.
Conceptual Metaphor
FUN IS A LIQUID FEAST / SOCIALISING IS FUELLING UP (with alcohol).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'booze-up' be MOST appropriate?