The phrase "banging up" refers to putting someone in jail or prison. The spelling of this phrase can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Banging" is pronounced as /ˈbæŋɪŋ/ (BANG-ing), with the stress on the first syllable. "Up" is pronounced as /ʌp/ (uhp), with the vowel sound being the short u as in "cup." This phrase may also be spelled with a hyphen, as in "banging-up," but the two words are typically written as one.
Banging up, as a phrasal verb, has multiple meanings depending on the context. Here are two possible dictionary definitions for "banging up":
1. To physically harm or injure someone or something:
- This definition suggests that "banging up" refers to causing damage or injury to a person or an object. It implies a forceful impact or collision that results in visible harm or injury. For instance, if a car accident occurs and someone is injured, one could say, "The collision really banged me up." Similarly, if a basketball hits a window and shatters it, one might say, "The ball really banged up the window."
2. To imprison or detain someone:
- In a legal context, "banging up" can also refer to the act of imprisoning or detaining an individual. This definition portrays a situation where someone is confined against their will, typically in a correctional facility. For example, someone convicted of a crime might be sentenced to "banging up" or "being banged up" for a specified period.
In both cases, "banging up" conveys a sense of forceful impact or confinement. However, the specific meaning may vary depending on the context in which the phrase is used.
The phrase "banging up" does not have a specific etymology as it is a colloquial expression that originated in English. However, we can examine the individual words to gain some insight.
The word "banging" is derived from the verb "bang", which originated in the early 16th century, possibly from Old Norse "banga" meaning "to beat" or "to hammer". It initially referred to a loud, sudden noise or impact. Over time, "banging" has acquired additional meanings, such as something of outstanding quality or excitement.
The term "up" is a preposition that dates back to Old English, with its roots in Germanic languages. In this context, "up" is often used to indicate an increase, intensification, or completion of an action.