Meaning trap
whip up
stir up strong feelings
to deliberately create or increase a strong feeling, especially excitement, anger, or fear, in a group of people
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to deliberately create or increase a strong feeling, especially excitement, anger, or fear, in a group of people
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The politician tried to whip up anger among the crowd with his speech.
In some cases, social media can whip up strong emotions, making it difficult for people to have calm discussions about controversial topics.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
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'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Whip up' is the punchy verb for stirring strong feeling in people; 'incited fervour' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
whip up + feeling
- support
- anger
- hysteria
- the crowd