macho up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To man up; to act in a tough or assertive way.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Ezra lets me have my way, yet he knows when to macho up and say I'm wrong or to simply say no.
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).
Common questions
What does “macho up” mean?
To man up; to act in a tough or assertive way.
Is “macho up” formal or informal?
macho up is generally informal.