hop up: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The meaning of the idiom "hop up" can vary depending on the situation in which it is used. It is often used to describe the act of increasing or enhancing something, whether it's the intensity of a physical activity or the quality of an object. The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States.

One possible origin of "hop up" is from the automotive industry during the 1920s and 1930s. Car enthusiasts would modify their vehicles to increase their speed and performance, colloquially referred to as "hopping up" the engines. This involved making various modifications and adjustments. With time, the term "hop up" started to be used more broadly to describe any act of enhancing or increasing something.

Another possible origin of "hop up" can be found in the field of drug use, particularly during the Prohibition era. Back then, the term "hop" was slang for opium or similar drugs. Thus, "hop up" might have originally meant enhancing the potency or effects of drugs. However, this usage is less common nowadays, and the idiom is more frequently used in other contexts.

In modern usage, "hop up" is often used to describe increasing the intensity or energy of a physical activity. For instance, someone may "hop up" their workout routine by adding more challenging exercises, increasing the duration, or intensifying the workouts. In this sense, "hop up" is similar to other idioms like "kick it up a notch" or "turn it up a notch."

"hop up" can also refer to enhancing the quality or performance of an object or product. For example, someone may "hop up" their computer by adding more memory or upgrading the processor. Similarly, a chef may "hop up" a recipe by incorporating extra spices or ingredients to make it more flavorful.

As one can see, the idiom "hop up" encompasses various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It can refer to intensifying the energy or intensity of a physical activity, as well as enhancing the quality or performance of an object or product. While the exact origins of the idiom might be uncertain, it has become widely used and understood in contemporary American English.

One idiom that can be related to "hop up" is "tie one on". "Tie one on" is an idiomatic expression used to describe getting drunk or consuming alcohol excessively. While it might seem unrelated to "hop up" at first, both idioms involve increasing and intensifying a particular activity. While "hop up" refers to enhancing things like physical activities or object quality, "tie one on" relates more to excessive alcohol consumption. So, while the specific situations might differ, both idiomatic expressions share the common theme of intensification.

Another related idiom is "hoover up". "Hoover up" is an idiomatic expression used to describe cleaning or consuming something quickly and thoroughly, like a vacuum cleaner (Hoover) sucking up dirt and debris. This idiom is similar to "hop up" in the sense that both involve the act of intensifying or increasing something. While "hop up" refers to enhancing quality or intensity, "hoover up" relates to performing an action quickly and thoroughly, like cleaning up a space or consuming something rapidly.

Additionally, "hit it up" is another idiom related to "hop up". "Hit it up" is an idiomatic expression used to describe approaching something with enthusiasm or intensifying an activity. This idiom shares a similar concept with "hop up" in terms of increasing energy and intensity. While "hop up" refers to enhancing physical activities or object quality, "hit it up" relates to approaching an activity with enthusiasm or giving it a boost of energy.

Lastly, we have the idiom "hop the wag". "Hop the wag" is an idiomatic expression used to describe avoiding or skipping school. While it might not seem closely related to "hop up" at first, both idioms involve an action that deviates from the norm. "Hop up" refers to enhancing or intensifying something, while "hop the wag" involves avoiding responsibilities or obligations, such as attending school. Although the specific actions might differ, both idioms share the underlying theme of deviating from the expected or conventional path.