Meaning trap
turn up
increase volume or heat
To make something, such as the sound, heat, or light, stronger or louder by adjusting a control.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To make something, such as the sound, heat, or light, stronger or louder by adjusting a control.
Another meaning of 'turn up' is 'arrive unexpectedly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Can you turn up the radio? I can’t hear the song.
When I study, I usually turn up the volume on my headphones to block out background noise.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Turn up it, I love this song.
Say: Turn it up, I love this song.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn it up'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Turn up' is the everyday verb for raising volume or heat; 'increase the volume' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
turn up + control
- the music
- the heating
- the volume
- the brightness
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- turn up (arrive unexpectedly) — Another meaning of 'turn up' is 'arrive unexpectedly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.