The phrase "smell up" is spelled as /smɛl ʌp/. The first sound, /sm/, is made by starting with closed lips and then releasing airflow while keeping the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. The "e" sound is pronounced as /ɛ/ which is made by positioning the tongue in the middle and front of the mouth while keeping the lips slightly apart. The second word, "up," is pronounced as /ʌp/ which requires rounding the lips while slightly opening them to allow the air to escape.
The term "smell up" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of causing a place, object, or person to have a strong or unpleasant odor. It involves the process of emitting or diffusing a particular smell, usually one that is potent, intense, or noxious, to the extent that it becomes noticeable and pervasive in a given area. The verb "smell up" suggests that something has resulted in the filling of an environment or space with a specific scent, usually an unpleasant one.
For instance, if someone leaves food to rot in a closed container, it can "smell up" the entire room, meaning that the foul odor permeates and lingers throughout the area. Similarly, if a person forgets to take out the garbage, it can "smell up" the kitchen, referring to the strong and unpleasant odor that wafts from the garbage bin and percolates throughout the space.
The phrase "smell up" is commonly used to describe situations where an unwanted or overpowering odor is emitted, and it conveys the notion that the aroma is so pervasive that it alters the olfactory experience of the surrounding area. In essence, "smell up" describes the act of causing or infusing an area with an undesirable smell.
The term "smell up" is a phrasal verb, consisting of the verb "smell" and the preposition "up". The word "smell" has its origins in Old English as "smeallan", meaning "to emit or perceive an odor". Over time, it evolved and remained relatively unchanged in its meaning.
The addition of the preposition "up" modifies the verb "smell". In this context, "up" acts as an intensifier, indicating the augmentation or increase of the smell. This usage has likely developed from the general notion that unpleasant smells tend to rise or become more noticeable when they accumulate or spread in an area.