whip up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

Meaning 1 · most common

make food quickly

  • whip up sth
  • informal

to make a meal or dish quickly and easily, often with whatever you have

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I can whip up a quick pasta if you're hungry.

She whipped up an omelette in about five minutes.

More on “make food quickly”Tip
Practice saying this
Next meaning: stir up strong feelings

Meaning 2

stir up strong feelings

  • whip up sth sth

to deliberately create or increase a strong feeling, especially excitement, anger, or fear, in a group of people

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The politician tried to whip up anger among the crowd with his speech.

A: Why is everyone so upset about this issue all of a sudden?
B: I think the media really whipped up a lot of fear about it.

Common mistake

Not: He whipped up with anger in the crowd.

Say: He whipped up anger in the crowd.

'Whip up' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “stir up strong feelings”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In some cases, social media can whip up strong emotions, making it difficult for people to have calm discussions about controversial topics.

Tell it apart

He whipped up the crowd's anger.

  • deliberately stirred it

He calmed the crowd down.

  • settled them

Goes with

  • whip up + feeling
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.