crank up

crank ¹

 (krăngk)

n.

1. A device for transmitting rotary motion, consisting of a handle or arm attached at right angles to a shaft.

2. A clever turn of speech; a verbal conceit: quips and cranks.

3. A peculiar or eccentric idea or action.

4. Informal

a. A grouchy person.

b. An eccentric person, especially one who is unduly zealous.

5. Slang Methamphetamine.

v. cranked, crank·ing, cranks

v.tr.

1.

a. To start or operate (an engine, for example) by or as if by turning a handle.

b. To move or operate (a window, for example) by or as if by turning a handle.

2. To make into the shape of a crank; bend.

3. To provide with a handle that is used in turning.

v.intr.

1. To turn a handle.

2. To wind in a zigzagging course.

adj.

Of, being, or produced by an eccentric person: a crank letter; a crank phone call.

Phrasal Verbs:

crank out

To produce, especially mechanically and rapidly: cranks out memo after memo.

crank up

1. To cause to start or get started as if by turning a crank: cranked up a massive publicity campaign.

2. To cause to intensify, as in volume or force: cranks up the sound on the stereo.

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[Middle English, from Old English cranc- (as in crancstæf, weaving implement).]

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crank ²

 (krăngk)

adj. Nautical

Liable to capsize; unstable.

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[Origin unknown.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

crank up

vb (tr)

1. to increase (loudness, output, etc): he cranked up his pace.

2. to set in motion or invigorate: news editors have to crank up tired reporters.

3. (Recreational Drugs) (intr, adverb) to inject a narcotic drug

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	crank up - start by cranking; "crank up the engine" crank start up, start - get going or set in motion; "We simply could not start the engine"; "start up the computer"
	2.	crank up - rotate with a crank crank circumvolve, rotate - cause to turn on an axis or center; "Rotate the handle"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.