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Perfect Stranger Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

Vocab question no. 49: act up VS naughty

Hello there,

I have a question concerning the phrasal verb to act up. I've looked it up in 2 online dictionaries and both of them define it as synonymous to misbehave. Here's a line copied from a dictionary:

misbehave badly; act in a silly or improper way; "The children acted up when they were not bored"


Now, I'm wondering if these act up and naughty could be used interchangeably in the following sentences:

You're always acting up!
You're always so naughty!

(These two were supposed to be said about a man who likes to joke in a very playful way with women)

Thanks
  

Top answer

Perfect Stranger Now, I'm wondering if these act up and naughty could be used interchangeably in the following sentences:You're always acting up! You're always so naughty! For children, yes.

— Mister Micawber

  • Perfect Stranger Now, I'm wondering if these act up and naughty could be used interchangeably in the following sentences:You're always acting up!
  • You're always so naughty!
  • For children, yes.
  • Perfect Stranger (These two were supposed to be said about a man who likes to joke in a very playful way with women) No.
  • That is a more serious offense than childish misdemeanors.
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5 Answers
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Perfect StrangerNow, I'm wondering if these act up and naughty could be used interchangeably in the following sentences:You're always acting up! You're always so naughty!
For children, yes.
Perfect Stranger(These two were supposed to be said about a man who likes to joke in a very playful way with women)
No. That is a more
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Hmm... Would you ever use act up to address adults then? In what situations?

Thank you.
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Perfect Stranger Would you ever use act up to address adults then?
Not really. It refers to teenagers at the most. And machinery.
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Thanks again MM.
Mister MicawberNot really. It refers to teenagers at the most. And machinery.
What if a man is behaving like an immature person? Can we say: Stop acting up ?
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Perfect StrangerWhat if a man is behaving like an immature person? Can we say: Stop acting up ?
It is something that is likely to be said by a parent or teacher to a child. It suggests that the speaker has the authority to regulate the behavior of the person they are speaking to.
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