trump up

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Word: Trump Up

Part of Speech: Verb (phrasal verb)

Meaning: To "trump up" means to invent or create something, especially something false or exaggerated, often for dishonest reasons. It is frequently used in the context of making false accusations or charges against someone.

Usage Instructions:

1. Context: You usually use "trump up" when talking about legal matters, accusations, or claims that are not true.
2. Structure: It is often followed by a noun, such as "charges" or "evidence".

Example Sentences:

• The police were accused of trying to trump up charges against the protestors.
• He tried to trump up a story to make himself look better at the job interview.

Advanced Usage:

In more formal contexts, "trump up" can be used in discussions about politics, law, or situations involving deceit. It can imply a serious ethical breach when someone uses false claims for personal gain.

Word Variants:

• Trumped-up (adjective): This is often used to describe false charges or claims, e.g., "The defendant was released after it was proven that the charges were trumped-up."

Different Meanings:

While "trump up" primarily refers to making false claims, it can also imply exaggerating something that may have some truth to it but is blown out of proportion.

Synonyms:

• Fabricate
• Invent
• Concoct
• Falsify

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Cook the books: To falsify financial records.
• Make up: To create something untrue or to invent a story, not necessarily in a legal context.
• Put on: To present something in a way that may not be true.

Summary:

"Trump up" is a verb that means to invent or exaggerate, usually in the context of false accusations or claims. It is often used in legal discussions and can imply dishonesty.

Academic

Verb

1. invent
   • trump up charges

Synonyms

• concoct