crank-up

[ krangk-uhp ]

noun

1. an act or instance of cranking up.

crank up

verb

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. intr, adverb to inject a narcotic drug

Word History and Origins

Origin of crank-up¹

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase crank up

Example Sentences

Mr. Cumella, who collects and repairs crank-up phonographs like Victrolas and has a collection of original Nora Bayes records, was hoping to add Ms. Bayes’s grave to a Woodlawn tour he conducts while using a portable antique turntable to play records of jazz and vaudeville greats at their grave sites.

From New York Times

With Kaymer leading by a million shots and Fox taking over the broadcast next year, why not crank-up the zaniness a few notches?

From Golf Digest

On Sundays, there was ballroom dancing around a crank-up gramophone.

From New York Times

You can grab a seat on the lawn to hear live recitations, along with music from 1900-25 played on period crank-up phonographs by Michael Cumella, a k a MAC, the program’s regular host.

From New York Times

Gene Austin, 71, "granddaddy of all crooners," who sold more than 86 million records in the era of crank-up phonographs; of lung cancer; in Palm Springs, Calif. Austin began his career as an entertainer by pounding bawdyhouse pianos.

From Time Magazine Archive