When you hear about someone being arrested on "trumped-up charges," that means that they've been falsely accused. There's a sense of exaggeration in this term, as well—if your excuse for being late is trumped-up, you're concocting extra details to make it sound more impressive.

What is trumped-up charges mean?

: fraudulently concocted : spurious trumped-up charges.

What is trumped-up mean?

1 : to concoct especially with intent to deceive : fabricate, invent. 2 archaic : to cite as support for an action or claim. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About trump up.