What Does โCrease sb upโ Mean?
โCrease sb upโ is a British informal phrasal verb that means to make someone laugh a lot or cause them to burst out laughing.
Introduction
The phrase โcrease sb upโ is often used in casual conversations to describe something or someone that makes another person laugh uncontrollably. The word โcreaseโ here refers to the idea of folding or crumpling, which is a humorous way to express how laughter can physically affect someoneโs body. Understanding the crease sb up meaning helps you recognize when people are talking about funny moments or jokes that bring joy and amusement. This expression is popular in British English and can add a lively tone when talking about humor. Using โcrease sb upโ correctly can make your English sound more natural and fun.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: crease somebody up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to make someone laugh a lot
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โCrease sb upโ is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it always takes a direct object (someone who is laughing).
- Subject + crease + somebody + up
- Example: The comedian creased the audience up.
This phrasal verb is inseparable, so you cannot put the object between โcreaseโ and โup.โ
How to Use โCrease sb upโ?
You use โcrease sb upโ when you want to say that something made someone laugh very hard. It is often used in informal contexts such as conversations with friends, watching comedy shows, or describing funny situations. You can use it in the past, present, or future tense.
Examples of usage include talking about a joke, a funny story, or a humorous action that caused laughter.
Examples
- That joke really creased me up during the party.
- The clownโs silly tricks creased the children up.
- She told a funny story that creased everyone up.
- His impression of the teacher creased me up yesterday.
- Watching that comedy show always creases me up.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The joke creased up me.
- Correct: The joke creased me up.
- Incorrect: He creased up.
- Correct: He creased me up.
Remember, you must always include the person who is laughing right after โcrease.โ It is not used without a direct object.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs or expressions include:
- Crack sb up: Also means to make someone laugh a lot. Very similar and interchangeable with โcrease sb up.โ
- Split sb up: Informal, meaning to cause someone to laugh hard, but less common.
- Make sb laugh: More general and formal.
โCrease sb upโ is more informal and often used in British English, while โcrack sb upโ is widely used in both British and American English.
Common Collocations
- Crease someone up with a joke
- Crease someone up with laughter
- Crease someone up by doing something funny
- Crease someone up at a party
- Crease someone up during a show
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you see Tomโs dance moves last night?
Ben: Yes! They totally creased me up. I couldnโt stop laughing.
Anna: Me too. Heโs so funny when he tries to dance.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) The comedian creased the crowd up.
- b) The comedian creased up the crowd.
- c) The comedian creased up.
Answer: a) The comedian creased the crowd up.
FAQs
- Q: Is โcrease sb upโ formal?
A: No, it is informal and used mainly in casual conversations.
- Q: Can I use โcrease sb upโ in American English?
A: It is more common in British English, but Americans may understand it.
- Q: What is the difference between โcrease sb upโ and โcrack sb upโ?
A: Both mean to make someone laugh a lot, but โcrack sb upโ is more common internationally.
- Q: Can โcrease sb upโ be used without an object?
A: No, it always needs a direct object (someone who laughs).
- Q: Is โcrease sb upโ only about laughing?
A: Yes, it specifically means to make someone laugh hard.
