English · Phrasal verb Attested

foam up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To become foamy, create a foam; to rise with a foamy surface or covered with something resembling foam

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Trở nên bọt biển, tạo bọt

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

In a chastened mood, Helen returned to her own room and lit her spirit-lamp, in order to re-boil the coffee. She was watching the brown bubbles foam up in the saucepan, when she heard the front-door bell.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To take place, arise, erupt, develop.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Xảy ra, nổ ra, phát triển

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To cause to become foamy; to cover with foam.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Làm cho trở nên bọt biển

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “foam up” mean?

To become foamy, create a foam; to rise with a foamy surface or covered with something resembling foam

Is “foam up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.