pipe upverb

• 1

  To speak up, especially in a robust, assertive manner; to say something loudly and suddenly.

  • "You seem to have a lot to say," remarked Silver, spitting far into the air. "Pipe up and let me hear it, or lay to."
  • Once I asked a seventeen-year-old singer something that wasn't on the list, which caused her manager to pipe up: "That wasn't what we agreed on. She doesn't have to answer that."
• 2

  To begin singing or playing musical notes on a pipe or similar wind instrument.

  • [T]he frogs in a neighboring marsh began to pipe up for the evening concert.
  • But presently the gray dawn stole over the world, the birds piped up, then the sun rose and poured light and comfort all around.
• 3

  To begin to blow more vigorously.

  • Once, for ten minutes, the sun shone at midday, and ten minutes afterward a new gale was piping up.
• 4

  rareTo call, awaken, or summon, as with a musical instrument.

  • Yet beyond turning my blood cold for a moment, it gave me little trouble, for evil tales have hung about the church; and though I did not set much store by the old yarns of Blackbeard piping up his crew, yet I thought strange things might well go on among the graves at night. And so I never budged, nor stirred hand or foot to save a fellow-creature in his agony.