Cool MateSomething's not right vs Something's up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Something's not right
Something's up
| Something's not right | Something's up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈsʌmθɪŋz nɒt raɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈsʌmθɪŋz nɑːt raɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsʌmθɪŋz ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈsʌmθɪŋz ʌp// |
| Meaning | There is a problem or issue. | Something is happening or not right. |
| Example | When I tasted the soup, I knew something's not right with the seasoning. | When Jane walked in late, I thought, 'Something's up' with her. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | feel something's not right, know something's not right, sense something's not right, think something's not right, suspect something's not right | something's wrong, something's not right, something's happening |
| Common mistakes | Using in overly formal contexts., Confusing with 'everything's fine'., Not using with the correct intonation. | Using it in overly formal situations., Confusing it with 'What's up?' which is a greeting., Misunderstanding the tone; it's often light-hearted or teasing. |
| Usage notes | Use when sensing trouble or discomfort; can be informal. Avoid in very formal situations. | Commonly used in casual conversation. Can imply suspicion or curiosity about an unusual situation. Not used in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Something's not right vs Something's up
What's the difference between Something's not right and Something's up?
Something's not right: There is a problem or issue. Something's up: Something is happening or not right.
Which is more formal: Something's not right and Something's up?
Something's not right is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Something's not right and Something's up?
Something's not right is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Something's not right: When I tasted the soup, I knew something's not right with the seasoning. Something's up: When Jane walked in late, I thought, 'Something's up' with her.
Can I use Something's not right and Something's up interchangeably?
Not always. Something's not right and Something's up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.