speaking up

Question

Dear teachers,I'm puzzled about the meaning of "speak up" in the following context.A fear of speaking up may prevent you from sharing your ideas at work,standing out in the classroom, or making new friends.

GPY · Accepted Answer

It means to state your ideas or opinions, contrasted with being too shy or unconfident to do so.

Mike2015 · Answer

Thanks you very much for your quick reply.
But unfortunately I still can't fully understand it..
Can you please make an example in which this word is used?

GPY · Answer

If you've got something to say, don't be shy, speak up!

Anonymous · Answer

Some examples of US usage:

"My boy is very shy and quiet. He's smart and hard-working, but he'll just sit in class and never say a word. Some teachers don't like this, and if there's a question of whether to give him a B+ or an A- for the term, they might hold it against him and give him a B+ instead of an A-. While another student, with the same achievement, but good classroom participation, might get the A- instead of the B+. So I'm trying to get him to speak up more in class."

A: "I didn't get the promotion to vice-president. Ed got it. I don't like this one bit. I got better grades than him in business school, and I do better work than him, and I think I deserve that promotion."
B: "But this is the business world, not academia. Bob is a backslapper and glad-hander, always shooting the breeze with everyone. That matters a lot in business. You're the quiet type - a lot of business people don't like that. You should speak up more, so you get yourself noticed and break the ice with people."

GPY · Answer

AnonymousSome examples of US usage:

I think this is the same meaning of "speak up" that is used everywhere.

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