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Light You Up

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "light you up" means to punish, scold, or fight somebody - but it can also mean getting tore up by briars, cats, wasps, or anything that hits sudden and fierce. The flip side, "get lit up," can mean being whipped, being drunk, or getting fired up with excitement.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Nature   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

Hillbilly Dude Says...
Basically anything that can hurt you can 'light you up.' This is an everday phrase. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Basically anything that can hurt you can 'light you up.' This is an everday phrase. 

Pronunciation

[LAHT yoo up]

Meaning & Usage

- To punish or scold harshly (verb phrase)

Mae:
If you break that, Daddy’ll light you up.
Earl:
Then you best put it back where you found it.

- To fight or beat up (verb phrase)

Mae:
He’ll light you up if you keep runnin’ your mouth.
Earl:
Reckon I’ll hush, then.

- To attack, sting, or hurt suddenly and fiercely (verb phrase)

Mae:
Don’t run through them blackberry canes - they’ll light you up.
Earl:
And stay clear o’ that cat - she’ll light you up too.

- To get drunk or very excited (get lit up) (verb phrase)

Mae:
Them boys sure got lit up last night.
Earl:
So did half the county, watchin’ fireworks.
variations: get lit up, whip, scold, chew out, beat up, sting, scratch up, get drunk, get excited, wear out (as in whipping), tear up (as in briars or critters)
★ Whether it’s Mama’s discipline, a fistfight, a patch of briars, or a jar of shine - "light you up" means something’s gonna hit hard and sudden. "Lit up" carries that same punch, whether it’s getting whipped, stung, or drunk. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the image of setting something on fire. In mountain talk, "light you up" became a vivid way to describe punishment, fighting, stings, or scratches, while "lit up" spread to mean drunk or overly excited.

Usage Notes

Very common in Appalachian and Southern speech. "Light you up" can mean discipline, fighting, or getting tore up by animals, briars, or insects. "Get lit up" often means drunk or overexcited. Context makes the meaning clear.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said sharp: "light ya up." Past tense: "lit up."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "light you up" always mean violence?
No - it can also mean being scratched, stung, or tore up by critters and briars.
What about "lit up" for drunk?
Yes - that’s one of the most common meanings in modern Southern/Appalachian speech.
Do people still use these phrases today?
Absolutely - both are alive and well in country, Southern, and Appalachian talk.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 27). Light You Up. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/light-you-up
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Light You Up." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/light-you-up.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Light You Up." HillbillySlang.com. August 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/light-you-up.
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