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.

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.

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.