Straight up

[Blabbermouth]

Hi,

I know "straight up" can be used in the context of ordering drinks when you want it served without ice. But I also feel like I've heard it in american colloquial language as an expression. Does "straight up" have more meanings and if so, can you write some phrases to show the different ways of using "straight up"?

I feel like I've heard sth like: "That's straight up garbage", "I'm straight up fly" etc.

[David L.]

In Britain, it has the meaning of being truthful, honest :
"I won't hurt you - straight up I won't."

In America, it has been further adapted:
get straight to the point. No BS, I am telling you exactly what I mean;
and
absolutely, totally

So 'that's straight up garbage' is not mincing words, he's saying exactly what he means; or 'that's absolute garbage'.

Anyone refine this?

[Blabbermouth]

Yep that's what I thought. Thanks a lot for clarifying this. So if someone says "I'm straight up fly", it basically means "I'm totally/really/absolutely fly"?

With fly I mean the expression = cool, with swagger etc.

[Nathanel]

Is it right to say ' I'm straight up impressed by his performance'?

thanks in advance.

[Shakespeare's brother]

Nathanel, I think you could. In any case, it certainly wouldn't have everyone laughing out loud or thinking you were a complete nut. To my ear, it would be better to say: 'I'm (really) impressed by his performance - straight up'. I think it's more of a colloquial 'punch' than something to be used instead of the more usual adverbs.