turn up the volume
/tɜːn ʌp ðə ˈvɒljuːm/
Meaning
To increase the loudness of a sound on an electronic device such as a television, radio, smartphone, or computer. This is an essential everyday phrasal verb construction. The tone is neutral and highly conversational.
Examples
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I can't hear the TV; can you turn up the volume?
I can't hear the TV; can you turn up the volume?
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She turned up the volume when her favorite song started playing.
She turned up the volume when her favorite song started playing.
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Please turn up the volume a little bit; the dialogue is too quiet.
Please turn up the volume a little bit; the dialogue is too quiet.
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He turned up the volume on his phone so everyone could hear the voice message.
He turned up the volume on his phone so everyone could hear the voice message.
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Don't turn up the volume too high, or you will wake up the baby.
Don't turn up the volume too high, or you will wake up the baby.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Can you open the volume? I can't hear anything.
✓ Can you turn up the volume? I can't hear anything.
In English, we do not 'open' or 'close' volume or electronic devices; we use 'turn up' or 'turn down'.
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✗ Please make up the volume of the radio.
✓ Please turn up the volume of the radio.
'Make up' means to invent or reconcile. The standard phrasal verb for increasing sound is 'turn up'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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This video is very quiet. Can you ___?
💡 Make the sound louder.
Show answer
turn up the volume
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When the news came on, my dad asked me to ___ on the radio.
💡 Increase the sound level.
Show answer
turn up the volume