straight up

Meaning

This expression is used to emphasize that you are telling the absolute truth, or that something is completely true and serious. It can function as an adverb meaning 'honestly' or 'seriously,' or as an adjective meaning 'straightforward' or 'undiluted.' It is highly casual and common in spoken English and texting.

Examples

• I straight up forgot we had a meeting today, I'm so sorry.

  I straight up forgot we had a meeting today, I'm so sorry.

• That was straight up the best burger I've ever eaten in my life.

  That was straight up the best burger I've ever eaten in my life.

• Are you straight up lying to me right now?

  Are you straight up lying to me right now?

• He told her straight up that he wasn't looking for a relationship.

  He told her straight up that he wasn't looking for a relationship.

• I'm straight up exhausted after that workout.

  I'm straight up exhausted after that workout.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is a straight up person.

  ✓ He is a straightforward person.

  While 'straight up' can describe actions or statements, using it to describe a person's character in this way sounds unnatural. Words like 'straightforward' or 'honest' are better suited here.

• ✗ I straight up to you.

  ✓ I am being straight up with you.

  'Straight up' is not a verb. To use it to mean being honest with someone, you must pair it with the verb 'to be' and the preposition 'with'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I ___ fell asleep during the movie because it was so boring.

  💡 Means 'honestly' or 'completely'

  Show answer

  straight up

• Are you being ___ with me about what happened?

  💡 Means 'honest' or 'truthful'

  Show answer

  straight up