(intransitive, AAVE, slang) To deliberately annoy or irk someone; to deliberately start a conflict with someone.
(intransitive, AAVE, slang) To deliberately annoy or irk someone; to deliberately start a conflict with someone.
Bug up means: To deliberately annoy or irk someone; to deliberately start a conflict with someone.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Bug up means: To deliberately annoy or irk someone; to deliberately start a conflict with someone.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Slang from Black American Vernacular English (AAVE), hip-hop, drag and ballroom culture, the Caribbean, and NYC street vocabulary. The single largest source of new mainstream English slang in living memory.
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(US, slang, derogatory, vulgar) A state of continual annoyance or upset about a particular topic.
(, slang, AAVE) To interfere or involve oneself with (something); to become deeply involved with (something); to intrude into or be nosy about (something).
(British, Ireland, Australia, NZ, informal) To injure or harm (someone).
(slang, UK) To make (someone) paranoid or messed up, e.g., emotionally or from drugs.
bug up means: To deliberately annoy or irk someone; to deliberately start a conflict with someone.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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(transitive) To install a bug (listening device) on a person, thing or place.
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