roar up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “roar up” mean?
To move or travel somewhere quickly, loudly, or with great energy and force, often implying sudden, aggressive, or conspicuous motion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To move or travel somewhere quickly, loudly, or with great energy and force, often implying sudden, aggressive, or conspicuous motion.
To increase dramatically in intensity, level, or volume; to become suddenly and aggressively active or prominent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, especially in contexts of vehicles arriving. In American English, synonyms like 'zoom up' or 'pull up (fast)' might be preferred. Both varieties use it.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of abruptness, noise, and force. Slightly more dramatic/intense in American usage.
Frequency
Low-frequency phrasal verb in both dialects, more likely in spoken or informal narrative contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “roar up” in a Sentence
[Subject: vehicle/person] roar up [Prepositional Phrase: to/behind/past/up place][Subject: thing] roar up [Adverbial Particle: up]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “roar up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- A lorry roared up the M1, its engine straining.
- The fans roared up to the stadium gates.
- Temperatures are set to roar up this weekend.
- He roared up behind me on his bike, making me jump.
American English
- A pickup truck roared up the dirt road, kicking up dust.
- She roared up to the drive-thru window on her Harley.
- Their stock price roared up after the merger announcement.
- Anger roared up inside him unexpectedly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'Sales roared up in the final quarter.' 'Inflation is roaring up again.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary or descriptive historical analysis (e.g., 'Protesters roared up the street').
Everyday
Most common: describing vehicles or people arriving energetically. 'He roared up on his motorbike.'
Technical
Used in motorsports commentary or engineering tests describing engine performance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “roar up”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “roar up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “roar up”
- Incorrect: 'The car roared up the noise.' (Use: 'The car's engine roared.')
- Incorrect preposition: 'He roared up at the house.' (Use: 'He roared up to the house.')
- Using it for slow, quiet movement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'He roared the car up'. It is always 'The car roared up' or 'He roared up in the car'.
Yes, figuratively. Emotions like anger, panic, or excitement can 'roar up', meaning they arise suddenly and intensely.
'Roar up' focuses on arrival or upward/increasing movement towards a point. 'Roar off' focuses on departure, leaving a place quickly and noisily.
Rarely. It is an informal, vivid verb best suited for creative writing, journalism, or speech. In formal academic or business prose, synonyms like 'accelerate', 'increase sharply', or 'approach rapidly' are preferred.
To move or travel somewhere quickly, loudly, or with great energy and force, often implying sudden, aggressive, or conspicuous motion.
Roar up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɔːr ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɔːr ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idiom, but used in idiomatic descriptions]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LION (roar) running UP a hill at full speed → ROAR UP = move fast and noisily towards something.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSIVE/LOUD MOVEMENT IS THE ROAR OF A LION or BURST OF ENERGY IS A ROAR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'roar up' LEAST appropriate?