jack up
B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To raise something using a jack, or to increase something significantly (especially a price).
To increase something sharply and often unacceptably (e.g., prices, rates). Also, to make oneself tense or nervous (to jack oneself up). In slang: to deliberately abandon or botch a task. To inject a drug.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a phrasal verb, it often carries a negative connotation when referring to price increases (i.e., an unfair or sudden hike). The literal meaning of lifting a vehicle is neutral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties share core meanings. The literal 'lift a car' meaning is equally common. The 'raise prices' meaning is more frequent in business/media contexts in both. Slang uses (e.g., to botch, to inject drugs) are more prevalent in American English.
Connotations
In both: 'jack up prices' implies a greedy or opportunistic action. In US slang, 'jack up' can imply a state of agitation or drug-induced excitation.
Frequency
High frequency in informal and business contexts in both varieties. Slightly more common in American English in slang/figurative uses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] jacks up [object] (prices)[subject] jacks [object] up (a car)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “jack up the price”
- “jack it up (slang: mess it up)”
- “get jacked up (slang: get excited/agitated)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in reports: 'The supplier jacked up prices by 20% after the shortage.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in economics/policy discussions on price gouging.
Everyday
Very common: 'I need to jack up the car to change the tyre.', 'They've jacked up the rent again!'
Technical
Used literally in automotive/mechanical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The garage will jack up the lorry to inspect the axle.
- The energy firms have been accused of jacking up bills unnecessarily.
American English
- I need to jack up my truck to put on the snow chains.
- The concert promoters jacked up ticket prices at the last minute.
adjective
American English
- He was all jacked up on caffeine before the meeting. (slang: agitated/excited)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I learned how to jack up a car in my driving lesson.
- The shop jacked up the price of bread.
- Before you change a tyre, you must jack up the car safely.
- The landlord wants to jack up the rent next year.
- The government's new tax policy has effectively jacked up the cost of living.
- He completely jacked up the presentation by forgetting his notes. (slang)
- Speculators jacked up property prices in the region, pricing out local buyers.
- The athlete was jacked up on adrenaline before the championship race.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a car JACK lifting UP a vehicle. This same forceful, mechanical 'lifting' action is applied metaphorically to prices – they are forcibly lifted UP.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCREASE IS UP / COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IS PHYSICAL MECHANICS (e.g., manipulating a tool).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'поднять' for all contexts. It specifically implies a mechanical or forceful increase. Not a synonym for 'увеличить' in a gradual sense.
- Do not confuse with the name 'Jack'.
- The slang meaning 'to abandon/botch' has no direct single-word Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- *They jacked up the quality. (Incorrect - usually for negative increases)
- *Jack up the volume. (Usually 'turn up')
- Using it for gradual, planned increases (use 'raise' or 'gradually increase').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'jack up' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal to neutral. In formal business or academic writing, 'raise', 'increase', or 'elevate' are preferred.
Not literally. You cannot 'jack up a person'. Figuratively, you can 'jack yourself up' meaning to psych yourself up, or 'be jacked up' meaning agitated or under the influence of drugs (slang).
They are very similar synonyms for price increases. 'Hike up' might sound slightly less mechanical and is also very common. 'Jack up' can have a stronger connotation of force or exploitation.
The correct past tense is 'jacked up' (e.g., 'They jacked up the price'). 'Jack upped' is incorrect.