What Does “Crack sb up” Mean?
“Crack sb up” means to make someone laugh a lot or to cause someone to find something very funny.
Introduction
The phrase crack sb up is a popular English phrasal verb used to describe making someone laugh suddenly and strongly. The crack sb up meaning is simple: it refers to causing amusement or laughter, often unexpectedly. This expression is common in casual conversations and can be used in many social situations where humor is involved. Knowing how to use “crack sb up” not only helps you sound more natural but also adds fun to your English speaking skills. Whether you’re telling a joke or describing a funny moment, this phrasal verb is a great choice to express laughter and joy.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: crack somebody up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to make someone laugh a lot
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Crack sb up” is a separable transitive phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- crack somebody up
- crack up somebody
Examples of correct patterns:
- She cracks me up every time she tells a story.
- He cracked up his friends with his funny dance.
How to Use “Crack sb up”?
You use “crack sb up” to describe situations where someone causes laughter. It is often used in informal settings such as with friends, family, or colleagues. You can use it with pronouns (me, you, him, her) or with names and nouns.
It usually refers to a sudden or strong laugh reaction, often because of a joke, funny comment, or unexpected behavior.
Examples
- That comedian really cracked me up last night.
- His silly mistakes always crack us up.
- She told a joke that cracked everyone up at the party.
- My little brother cracks me up with his funny faces.
- The movie was so funny it cracked up the whole audience.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He cracks up loudly the room.
Correct: He cracks up the room loudly. - Incorrect: She cracks up with laughter.
Correct: She cracks me up with her jokes. - Incorrect: Crack up me with your story.
Correct: Crack me up with your story.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “make someone laugh,” “burst out laughing,” and “split someone’s sides.”
- Crack sb up means to cause someone to laugh suddenly and strongly.
- Make someone laugh is more general and less sudden.
- Burst out laughing focuses on the person laughing rather than who caused it.
- Split someone’s sides is informal and means to laugh a lot, similar to “crack sb up.”
Common Collocations
- crack somebody up with a joke
- crack somebody up by doing something funny
- crack somebody up at a party
- crack somebody up during a meeting
- crack somebody up because of a silly mistake
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of crack sb up:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you see Tom’s dance at the party last night?
Ben: Yes! He totally cracked me up. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Anna: Same here. His moves were so funny!
Ben: I think he cracked everyone up, honestly.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “crack sb up”:
- Her jokes always __________ me __________.
- That movie __________ the whole audience __________.
- He __________ his friends __________ with his funny stories.
FAQs
- Q: Is “crack sb up” formal or informal?
A: It is informal and mostly used in casual conversations. - Q: Can I use “crack sb up” in writing?
A: Yes, especially in informal writing like emails or messages. - Q: What does “sb” mean in “crack sb up”?
A: “sb” stands for “somebody” or “someone.” - Q: Is “crack up” the same as “crack sb up”?
A: “Crack up” alone can mean to laugh hard or to break down emotionally, but “crack sb up” means to make someone laugh. - Q: Can I use “crack sb up” with animals?
A: It is usually used with people, but sometimes jokingly with pets.
