soup up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slang
Quick answer
What does “soup up” mean?
To modify something, especially a vehicle or engine, to make it more powerful or faster.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To modify something, especially a vehicle or engine, to make it more powerful or faster.
To enhance or improve something's performance or appearance, often in a flashy or non-standard way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both dialects, though the specific car models or parts referenced in examples might differ (e.g., 'Ford Fiesta' in the UK vs. 'Chevy Camaro' in the US).
Connotations
Carries a connotation of amateur or enthusiast-level tinkering rather than professional engineering. In both dialects, it can imply a focus on speed and power over sophistication.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the larger car customisation subculture, but well-established and understood in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “soup up” in a Sentence
[Subject] souped up [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “soup up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's planning to soup up his old Ford Fiesta.
- They souped up the van to use as a mobile workshop.
American English
- He spent the weekend souping up his Chevy Camaro.
- You can soup up that computer with a new graphics card.
adjective
British English
- He drove a souped-up Mini Cooper.
- It's just a souped-up version of the basic model.
American English
- He showed off his souped-up pickup truck.
- They sell souped-up gaming consoles online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in marketing for aftermarket car parts or performance computing.
Academic
Extremely rare; not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, especially among people interested in vehicles, technology, or hobbies.
Technical
Used informally within automotive engineering, computing, and electronics hobbyist communities to describe performance modifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soup up”
- Using 'soup up' for simple repairs or maintenance (use 'fix' or 'service').
- Incorrect adjective form: 'a souping-up car' instead of 'a souped-up car'.
- Confusing it with 'sup up' (to eat/drink).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's believed to originate from 1920s/30s American slang, possibly from the idea of adding a potent 'soup' or mixture (like nitromethane fuel) to an engine, or from 'supercharge'/'super'.
Yes, while most common for vehicles, it is also used for computers, audio systems, and any device where performance can be enhanced through modification.
Yes, the past participle 'souped-up' functions as a compound adjective, e.g., 'a souped-up engine'.
It is decidedly informal and belongs to slang or colloquial registers. Avoid it in formal writing.
To modify something, especially a vehicle or engine, to make it more powerful or faster.
Soup up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːp ˌʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsup ˌʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “all souped up (adjective phrase)”
- “souped-up [noun] (adjective form)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine pouring a magical 'soup' into a car's fuel tank that makes it roar and go incredibly fast. You 'soup it up' to give it more power.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERFORMANCE IS NOURISHMENT / Adding power is like adding a potent ingredient (soup) to a recipe.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'soup up' in the sentence: 'They souped up the sound system for the party.'?