up and...
Suddenly did something bold or unexpected.
Also called upped and, just up and.
Updated September 24, 2026
up and... pronunciation
/UP and/
Meaning
You stick up and before another verb when somebody jumped into action without warning. He up and left. She up and quit. Often no goodbye, no plan spelled out. Country talk favors the uninflected form (he up and left) as much as he upped and left. Sounds like they rose out of their chair and did the thing in one motion.
How folks use it
- “One day he just up and left without saying goodbye.”
- “She cooked his supper every night till the day she up and quit him.”
Origin and etymology
Colloquial English from at least the 1600s–1800s, meaning to start up boldly and do something. OED notes the abrupt-start sense. Southern and Appalachian speech kept it thick in everyday storytelling, and writers still reach for "upped and left" when families vanish from a place overnight.
Frequently asked questions
Is it up and or upped and?
Both. Older country talk often keeps up uninflected: he up and left. Upped and left is common too.