act up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I felt like all these isolated incidents were speaking to me to act up.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

“What makes a horse act up? Fear, mostly,” said Hollywood horse stunt coordinator Ryan Sturz.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

When I was dating the woman who became my wife, her 13-year-old would act up.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2023

He told Golf Digest his hip can act up in soft conditions.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2022

As we settled into our seats for a late-night flight to Paris, my stomach began to act up.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French