Quiz Guy John Chaneski’s puzzle features variations on the phrase lawyer up, in which the answers are a verb followed by the word up. For example, if someone’s in his car and trying to change gears, but getting a little verklempt about it, what’s he about to do? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Lawyer Up Word Puzzle”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined by our quiz guide, John Chaneski.
Hi, John.
Hi, Grant.
Hi, Martha.
Hello, John.
Hi.
You know my wife, Jennifer Michael Hecht, the author?
Yes.
Jenny and I were talking the other day, and she mentioned the phrase, lawyer up.
And so we just discussed how amusing we find that term, though, of course, I’m sure it’s not amusing to anyone who has to lawyer up.
I said, the kitchen faucet is leaking again.
I’d better, and she said, yeah, go ahead.
Plumber up?
Plumber up, yes.
Now, this would be too easy if I just mentioned instances where you need an occupation.
Doctor up, waiter up, masseuse up.
Yeah, that’s right.
Right.
So instead, I’m going to give you a clue in which I need to up, and the resulting phrase will also be a different up.
Okay, here’s the example.
I’m in my car.
I’m trying to change gears, but I’m getting a little verklempt about it.
That would clue.
Shift up.
Gear up.
No.
Oh, that’s good.
What do you say when someone’s getting a little emotional?
They’re tearing up.
Tearing up.
I can’t talk about it.
Choking up.
Choking up.
Yes.
You’re trying to change gears, so you need to choke up.
That took a while.
This could be a very long quiz.
Do you actually have to manually do choke on an automobile in this year?
I don’t know.
It’s an old-fashioned clue, I’m sure.
Clutching up.
A fliver.
I’m driving a flipper.
Look it up, everyone.
Yeah, so let’s clue up.
They put me in charge of the pancake breakfast for my son’s Little League team.
I’d better…
Batter up.
Batter up.
Batter up, yes.
A nice one to start off with.
Coincidentally, all that cooking has made me hungry.
And, you know, I’m trying to, you know, gain a little weight.
So I’m going to go get a hamburger or maybe something more substantial, like a big steak.
I’d better…
Beef up.
Yes.
Trying to beef up.
Trying to beef up.
Yeah, I’d better beef up.
Or maybe some seafood.
I could really go for some shellfish right about now.
But listen, whatever you do, don’t tell anyone about this, okay?
But me, I’d better…
Clam up.
Clam up, yes, nice.
Pardon me, but can you spare a dollar?
I’ve been feeling rather down lately, but if I could get my hands in a dollar, I’d just feel a lot better.
I’d better…
Well, hit up, maybe.
No, but that’s not quite right.
Buck up.
Buck up, yeah.
Buck up.
Buck up, little buckaroo.
Everything’s going to be okay.
Now, I bet I can somehow build interest in my new product if I stand on a street corner and play an instrument.
Now, does anyone know where I can get a tablo or a djembe or a timpani?
To drum up your business?
I’d better drum up, yes, exactly.
Oh, no.
That rash I had is back again, and I’m trapped on a raft in the middle of the ocean.
I’d better…
Flare up.
Oh, yes.
Flare up.
I’m trapped on a raft.
What a coincidence.
I could really flare up.
How about this one?
I haven’t seen my friend in a long time, so we’re going to get together next weekend.
He said he’d take me fishing, so I’d better…
Hook up.
Yeah, we’re going to hook up.
Oh, and guess what?
Turns out when we finally get to the lake to go fishing, we’ll have to wait behind a whole bunch of people before we can get a boat.
Oh, and I forgot my reel, so I’d better…
Line up?
Yes, line up.
Martha’s on fire.
Yeah, yeah.
Okay.
Now, finally, I’ve got to call my English girlfriend and have her come over.
I’m going to propose…
Oh.
I’ve got an important purchase to make first.
I’d better…
Ring her up?
Ring her up.
Or knock her up.
You’re not going to knock her up.
Well, no, wait.
First, I’d better ring her up first, I think, or ring up.
I’m going to ring up first, yes.
Okay.
Well, that was great.
You guys were up to the task, so nicely done.
Aw, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Appreciate it.
This show is about slang, new words, language, funny stuff you read, books you like, and things that people say that are weird.
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