"Hacking up" mainly means cutting something into pieces, usually roughly or carelessly. On the other hand, it can also mean coughing up something from the throat or lungs, such as phlegm or blood. Furthermore, another definition is that it can also mean to ruin or spoil something, especially by making changes or alterations.

In short:

• "Hacking up" is chopping something into smaller parts, often without much care or skill.
• Another definition of "hacking up" is to spit out something from the throat or lungs, such as mucus or blood.
• Additional meaning of "hacking up" is to spoil or damage something, especially by making changes or modifications.

What Does "Hacking Up" Mean?

The idiom "hacking up" has three primary meanings related to the literal sense of hacking: chopping or cutting something with a sharp tool.

Here are the three meanings and some variations and related expressions:

• To cut something into pieces, usually roughly or carelessly. This meaning is often used to describe violent or gruesome actions, such as hacking up a body or an animal. It can also be used figuratively to divide or split something into smaller parts, such as hacking up a company or a budget.
• To cough up something from the throat or lungs, such as phlegm or blood. This meaning is often used to describe a symptom of illness or infection, such as hacking up a lung or green stuff. It can also be used figuratively to mean to reveal or confess something reluctantly, such as hacking up the truth or hacking up an apology.
• To ruin or spoil something, especially by making changes or alterations. This meaning is often used to describe a harmful or destructive impact on something's appearance, quality, or functionality, such as hacking up a painting or computer system. It can also be used figuratively to mean to criticize or insult someone harshly, such as hacking up someone's reputation or hacking up someone's argument.

Where Does "Hacking Up" Come From?

The idiom "hacking up" first appeared in written records in the late 16th century. It comes from the verb "hack," which has several origins and meanings. According to some sources, the verb "hack" can be traced back to the Old English word "haccian," which meant "to cut in pieces; break up; chop; hew; mangle."

10 Examples of "Hacking Up" in Sentences

Here are examples of how to use "hacking up" in sentences, demonstrating different contexts and situations:

• Holy cow! The serial killer was arrested after he was caught hacking up his victims and burying them in his backyard.
• She has been hacking up blood for weeks but refuses to see a doctor. I hope that she will get well soon.
• He buckled down, hacked up his essay at the last minute, and submitted it without proofreading.
• Yoink! The butcher hacked up the meat and put it on display. That was quick.
• I never suspected that he knew about hacking up the system. He's a smart cookie, I guess.
• He hacked up his inheritance and gave it away to charity. He has a good soul.
• It is what it is. The hacker hacked up the website and replaced it with a ransom note.
• She hacked up her wedding dress and made it into a Halloween costume just for giggles.
• He hacked up a confession after hours of interrogation. The detectives didn't cut corners in their investigation.
• She hacked up her speech and improvised on stage in a time crunch.

Examples of "Hacking Up" in Pop Culture

The idiom "hacking up" has also been used in various pop culture references, such as movies, TV shows, books, songs, and games.

Here are some examples:

• In the movie Fargo (1996), there is a scene where one of the kidnappers "hacks up" his partner's body with a wood chipper.
• In the TV show Breaking Bad (2008-2013), there is an episode where Walter White "hacks up" a drug dealer's body with hydrofluoric acid.
• In the book American Psycho (1991) by Bret Easton Ellis, there are several scenes where the protagonist Patrick Bateman "hacks up" his victims with various weapons and tools.
• In the game Dead Space (2008), there is a weapon called the Plasma Cutter that can "hack up" enemies' limbs.

Other Ways to Say "Hacking Up"

There are other ways to say "hacking up," depending on the meaning and context.

Here are some synonyms and alternative expressions for each meaning:

• To cut something into pieces: chop up, slice up, carve up, shred, dice, mince
• To cough up something from the throat or lungs: spit out, cough out, clear one's throat, expectorate
• To ruin or spoil something: mess up, screw up, botch up, mangle, butcher

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Hacking Up"

Here are some common questions and answers about "hacking up":

• What does "hacking up" mean?

"Hacking up" mainly means cutting something into pieces, usually roughly or carelessly. On the other hand, it can also mean coughing up something from the throat or lungs, such as phlegm or blood. Furthermore, another definition is that it can also mean to ruin or spoil something, especially by making changes or alterations.

• What is the origin of "hacking up"?

The idiom "hacking up" first appeared in written records in the late 16th century. It comes from the verb "hack," which can be traced back to the Old English word "haccian," which meant "to cut in pieces

• What part of speech is "hacking up"?

"Hacking up" is a phrasal verb that consists of the verb "hack" and the adverb "up." A phrasal verb is a verb that is combined with another word or word to create a new meaning.

• Is "hacking up" formal or informal?

"Hacking up" is an informal expression that is usually used in spoken language or written language, or casual writing. It is inappropriate for formal or academic contexts, such as essays, reports, or presentations.

• What is the difference between "hacking up" and "hacking down"?

"Hacking up" and "hacking down" are both phrasal verbs that use the verb "hack" with different adverbs. "Hacking up" means to cut something into pieces, while "hacking down" means to cut something down, such as a tree or a person.

• What is the difference between "hacking up" and "hacking away"?

"Hacking up" and "hacking away" are both phrasal verbs that use the verb "hack" with different adverbs. "Hacking up" means cutting something into pieces, while "hacking away" means cutting or hitting something repeatedly, usually without much skill or care.

• How do you use "hacking up" in a conditional sentence?

To use "hacking up" in a conditional sentence, you must follow the same rules as any other phrasal verb. You can use the simple present tense or the modal verb "would" for the main clause and the simple past tense or the modal verb "would have" for the subordinate clause.

• How do you use "hacking up" in a question?

To use "hacking up" in a question, you must follow the same grammar rules as any other phrasal verb. You can either put the whole phrasal verb before the subject or put the verb before the issue and the adverb after the object.

Example: Are you "hacking up" your essay again?

• How do you use "hacking up" in a negative sentence?

To use "hacking up" in a negative sentence, you must add the word "not" before or after the verb, depending on whether you use an auxiliary verb.

• How do you use "hacking up" in a passive sentence?

To use "hacking up" in a passive sentence, you need to change the verb to its past participle form, which is "hacked," and add a state of the verb "be" before it. You also need to switch the positions of the subject and the object.

Final Thoughts About "Hacking Up"

"Hacking up" is an idiom with three primary meanings: to cut something into pieces, cough up something from the throat or lungs, and ruin or spoil something.

Here are some key points to remember about "hacking up":

• It is a phrasal verb consisting of "hack" and the adverb "up."
• It first appeared in written records in the late 16th century.
• It has different variations and related expressions.