How Do You Spell SHOOTS UP?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈuːts ˈʌp] (IPA)

The phrase "shoots up" is often used to describe something that rapidly ascends or increases in value or quantity. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the spelling of "shoots up" can be transcribed as /ʃuːts ʌp/. The initial sound is the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʃ/, followed by the long vowel sound /uː/. The ending sound is the unvoiced glottal plosive /p/. This transcription accurately represents the pronunciation of the phrase, which can be helpful for those learning English as a second language.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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SHOOTS UP Meaning and Definition

  1. "Shoots up" is a phrasal verb that consists of the verb "shoot" and the adverb "up." It can have multiple dictionary definitions depending on the context in which it is used:

    1. Rapid increase: "Shoots up" can refer to a sudden and significant increase in something, such as a price, statistics, or levels. For example, "The cost of housing in the city shoots up during summer due to high demand from tourists."

    2. Growth or emergence: This phrase can also describe the quick and vigorous growth of plants or vegetation. If a plant "shoots up," it means it sprouts or grows rapidly, usually towards the sky. For instance, "The sunflowers shoots up in the summer heat, reaching towards the sun."

    3. Drug use: In a colloquial sense, "shoots up" can be associated with injecting drugs intravenously, particularly related to illegal substances such as heroin. This expression derives from the act of using a syringe to directly inject a drug into one's bloodstream. For instance, "He was arrested for shooting up heroin in public."

    Overall, "shoots up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe various scenarios such as sudden increases, rapid growth, or drug administration through injection. The specific definition will depend on the context in which it is utilized.

Common Misspellings for SHOOTS UP

Etymology of SHOOTS UP

The origin of the phrase "shoots up" can be traced back to the verb "shoot". The word "shoot" has its roots in Old English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "skeutan", meaning "to project, to launch". Over time, "shoot" developed various meanings, including "to discharge a missile or projectile" and "to cause to be propelled".

When the verb "shoot" is combined with the preposition "up", it often signifies upward motion or growth. Thus, "shoots up" generally refers to something rising quickly, rapidly increasing, or growing in size, height, or value. This phrase is commonly used in contexts such as describing a graph or chart that depicts sudden and significant upward movement, the rapid development of a plant or tree, or the surge of a particular phenomenon.