[Vocabulary] Sterngthen up versus Strengthen

[Lumia625]

Hello there,

See the sentence below which I copied it from a song.

So let's go on a trip tonight and strengthen up your soul

I want to understand the difference between "Strengthen up" and "Strengthen."

Strengthen up seems like a phrasal verb. I searched in the internet about it, but unfortunately I found no result

Do we have "Strengthen up" in English?

What's the difference between "Strengthen up" and "Strengthen?"

Is it correct to replace "Strengthen" instead of "Strengthen up" in that sentence?

Thank you in advance,

 

[Rover_KE]

The word 'up' is included there because without it the line wouldn't scan. It needs the extra syllable.

Don't expect song lyrics to be grammatical.

 

[bhaisahab]

There is no difference in meaning. Probably the songwriter used "strengthen up" (it's not a phrasal verb) because it fits better with the rythm of the song.

 

[lotus888]

Strengthen up seems like a phrasal verb. I searched in the internet about it, but unfortunately I found no result

Do we have "Strengthen up" in English?


"Shore up" might be the phrasal verb you're thinking about.

http://www.freedictionary.org/?Query=shore up



--lotus

 

[Tdol]

Up is often added onto verbs without changing the meaning greatly, though it can add a bit more emphasis. Here, it could suggest that strengthening up the soul is somehow better than just strengthening it, or it could simply be there as Rover suggests to fit the requirements of the tune- songs often add unnecessary words or cut things out to fit the music.