jack-up (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Verb (phrasal verb)

Phonetic Transcription

• /dʒæk ʌp/

Meaning and Usage

The term jack-up means to increase or raise something sharply, often in a context such as prices, expectations, or measurements. In terms of frequency of use, "jack-up" is commonly employed in informal contexts and is frequently heard in conversation, particularly in industries related to finance, construction, and sales. It tends to appear more in spoken language than in formal written text.

Example Sentences

1. They decided to jack up the prices of their products for the holiday season.

2. Ellos decidieron aumentar los precios de sus productos para la temporada navideña.

3. The company plans to jack up production to meet the rising demand.

4. La empresa planea incrementar la producción para satisfacer la creciente demanda.

5. The mechanic had to jack up the car to replace the flat tire.

6. El mecánico tuvo que levantar el coche para cambiar la llanta pinchada.

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "jack up" is often used in various idiomatic expressions primarily related to increasing or raising something dramatically. Some common idiomatic usages include:

1. Jack up the stakes
2. To increase the risks or rewards in a situation.

3. "When they announced the prize money, they really jack up the stakes of the competition."

   • "Cuando anunciaron el premio en dinero, realmente aumentaron las apuestas de la competencia."

4. Jack up the volume

5. To increase the loudness of sound.

6. "Could you please jack up the volume? I can't hear the music."

   • "¿Podrías por favor subir el volumen? No puedo oír la música."

7. Jack up interest rates

8. To increase the rates at which interest is charged on loans.

9. "The bank decided to jack up interest rates to combat inflation."

   • "El banco decidió aumentar las tasas de interés para combatir la inflación."

10. Jack up sales

11. To significantly increase sales figures.

12. "New marketing strategies helped jack up sales last quarter."

    • "Nuevas estrategias de marketing ayudaron a incrementar las ventas el último trimestre."

13. Jack up expectations

14. To raise the level of expectations about something.
15. "The teaser trailers really jack up expectations for the movie."
    • "Los tráilers de adelanto realmente aumentan las expectativas para la película."

Etymology

The term "jack-up" combines the noun "jack," which historically refers to a device used to lift heavy objects, and "up," indicating an increase. The verb form likely evolved from mechanical usage in contexts such as lifting and raising, becoming a figurative expression for increasing amounts or values.

Synonyms

• Raise
• Increase
• Boost
• Escalate
• Amplify

Antonyms

• Lower
• Decrease
• Diminish
• Reduce
• Cut