Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Under the influence of a stimulant drug, especially an amphetamine: Describes a state of being excited, agitated, or energized due to the use of narcotics or stimulants.
   • Modified to increase power or performance, especially of a car engine: Describes a vehicle, typically a car, whose engine has been altered to produce more speed or power than standard.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Drug Influence):

  • The suspect was acting erratic and hopped-up, leading police to believe he was on drugs.
  • After taking those pills, he felt completely hopped-up and couldn't sit still.

• Adjective (Engine Modification):

  • He spent all his savings on that hopped-up Mustang from the 1960s.
  • The street racers gathered with their hopped-up cars for an illegal drag race.

Advanced Usage

• "hopped-up on [something]": Often used to specify the cause of the excited or agitated state. While historically linked to drugs, it can be used informally for other stimulants.
  • The kids were all hopped-up on sugar after the birthday party.
  • The crowd was hopped-up on the band's energetic performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Hyped-up (adj): Very excited or nervous, often due to anticipation or publicity. This is a more common modern synonym, especially for non-drug-related excitement.
  • The fans were hyped-up for the concert.
• Souped-up (adj): Specifically refers to a vehicle or machine that has been modified for enhanced performance. This is a more common synonym for the automotive meaning of "hopped-up."
  • He drives a souped-up motorcycle.

Synonyms

• Stimulated: Affected by a stimulant.
• Wired: Slang for being nervously excited, often from stimulants.
• Pumped-up: Energized and excited.
• Tuned-up: Adjusted or modified for better performance (for vehicles/machines).

Related Phrases

• All hopped-up: An emphatic form of the adjective.
  • Don't pay any attention to him; he's just all hopped-up about his new idea.

Notes on Meaning

The primary meaning of "hopped-up" relates to drug use, carrying an informal and often negative connotation. The automotive meaning is a specialized slang term from hot-rod culture. In contemporary usage, "hyped-up" or "souped-up" are often preferred to avoid the direct drug reference.

Adjective

1. under the influence of narcotics
2. (of an automobile) having the engine modified to give extra power
   • a hopped-up jalopy