acting up

Meaning

The phrase "acting up" means behaving badly or causing trouble, especially in children or pets. It can also describe a device or body part not working right or showing symptoms.

Synonyms

naughtiness defective sinning misbehavior indiscipline wonky nonnatural knackered kaput broken-down skanky over the top unserviceable malfunctioning busted
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Antonyms

working operating running going functional intact
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Examples

I wanted to tell people, "My depression is acting up today" as an excuse for not seeing them, but I never managed to pull it off. Ned Vizzini

My cholera's acting up again. Libba Bray

I was studying to be an architect, I wasn't plotting to join the movies. Films were just another career option. I took acting up with the same schoolgirl enthusiasm I had for examinations. Acting is a job and I take it very seriously. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Words in the phrase

acting up

Close letter words and terms

acting the langer acting the part of acting unanimously acting upon acting voice acting voices