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.

“That’s not the idea. The idea is to have them clean their act up so that they do better and the stock goes up and their dividends go up,” Ryan said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2024

“You ain’t stoppin’ what’s goin’ on with me sweetheart,” Palmer lip-synced.“So if you gon’ act up, I’m ’bouta link up, I’m ’bouta link up, I’m ’bouta link up.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023

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

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2023

The more serious the occasion, the more he'll act up.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2022

Just like in a real family, you got some “relatives” you’re cool with and others you can’t stand, or who act up all the time.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore