The phrase "like crazy" is commonly used in informal conversations and means to do something to an excessive or extreme degree. The spelling of this phrase is straight forward. "Like" is spelled /laɪk/ and "crazy" is spelled /ˈkreɪzi/. When pronounced, the emphasis is on the second syllable of "crazy". Together, the phrase is pronounced as /laɪk ˈkreɪzi/. It's important to make sure the "k" in "like" is pronounced to differentiate it from the word "li". (Note: The above transcription uses the International Phonetic Alphabet, commonly abbreviated as IPA.)
The phrase "like crazy" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used in informal speech and writing. It functions as an intensifier to convey an excessive or extreme degree of something, often referring to the intensity of an action, emotion, or behavior. This phrase reflects a sense of enthusiasm, urgency, or frenetic energy associated with the activity or state being described.
In this context, "like crazy" serves as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or an adjective, emphasizing the intensity or frequency of the action or feeling. For example, "She's been studying like crazy for her final exams" suggests that she has devoted an excessive amount of time and effort to studying. Similarly, "I miss you like crazy" expresses an overwhelming feeling of longing or longing for someone.
The word "crazy" in this phrase does not refer to mental instability but is used colloquially to emphasize the intensity or extremity of the action or emotion being described. It implies a level of fervor or enthusiasm that surpasses what would be considered normal or expected.
Overall, "like crazy" signifies an exaggerated level of engagement, devotion, or intensity in relation to a particular action, behavior, or sentiment. It is a versatile expression that can be used in various contexts to emphasize the extent or intensity of an activity or feeling.
The phrase "like crazy" is an idiomatic expression that means to perform an action intensely or in a frenzied manner. The etymology of the phrase can be understood by looking at the origin of the individual words.
The word "like" in this context is a preposition that dates back to Old English, derived from the word "lic", meaning "body" or "form". Over time, its usage has expanded, and it now expresses similarity or comparison.
The word "crazy" comes from the Middle English word "crasy", which means "cracked" or "flawed". It originated from the Old Norse word "krass", which means "brittle" or "sickly". The term evolved over time to describe mental instability or irrational behavior.
When used together, the phrase "like crazy" emphasizes the intensity or fervor with which an action is performed.