amp, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

amp v.

(US black) to energize, to render tense or excited.

2008		G. Pelecanos Way Home (2009) 20: His face showed no fear or care, and it amped Chris further.
2011		F. Bill ‘The Need’ in Crimes in Southern Indiana [ebook] [F]lashbacks [...] amped through his memory.
2023		F. Bill Back to the Dirt 11: Roid rage amped through his hands.

amping (adj.)

1. (drugs) intoxicated by a drug, spec. feeling tense, nervous.

1997

‘Q’ Deadmeat 437: He’ll be amping and you’ll be laughing.

2. (drugs) experiencing the accelerated heartbeat that is one of the effects of taking amphetamines.

2001

ONDCP Street Terms 1: Amping - Accelerated heartbeat.

amp up (v.)

1. to accentuate, to intensify.

1988		G. Dozois (ed.) Year's Best Science Fiction: Fifth Annual Collection 46: He pushed himself up slowly and amped up his hearing, to almost painful levels.
2004		J.A. Juarez Brotherhood of Corruption 4: [H]e was amped up from his exchange with the kid.
2008		in J. Miller Getting Played 100: ‘They amp it [i.e. a confrontation] up, they get excited’.
2009		P. Temple Truth 265: He couldn’t bear the look, the silence, he kept amping up his rubbish chatter, eyes darting.
2018		I. Welsh Dead Man’s Trousers 107: Attack is usually the best form of defence [...] I decide to amp it up.
2024		B. McQuade Attack from Within 123: Conflict is good for the social media business. To increase use of their product, social media platforms have deliberately amped up the vitriol online.

2. (N.Z. prison) to lose one’s temper completely.

2001

D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 7/1: amp up v. to become extremely angry.