Inlocking the Power of Phrasal Verbs with "Up"

Mastering Phrasal Verbs with "Up"

Phrasal verbs are a dynamic component of the English language, infusing conversations with nuance and colloquialism that are pivotal for fluent speech and comprehension. This lesson focuses on phrasal verbs incorporating the particle "up," which often implies completion, increase, or upward movement. Understanding these verbs will not only enhance your vocabulary but also improve your ability to express complex ideas more naturally. Through detailed explanations and practical examples, you'll learn to use these phrasal verbs effectively in various contexts.

Useful Vocabulary for Phrasal Verbs with "Up"

This section will introduce and explain several key phrasal verbs that use the particle "up," helping you to understand their meanings and how they can be used in everyday conversation.

Detailed Meanings and Examples

1. Stand up

   • Meaning: To rise to an upright position on the feet.
   • Example: "There were no seats left, so I had to stand up during the concert."

2. Start up

   • Meaning: To initiate something, such as a business or machine.
   • Example: "They've started up a new tech company in Silicon Valley."

3. Turn up

   • Meaning: To increase the volume or intensity.
   • Example: "Could you turn up the music? I love this song!"

4. Warm up

   • Meaning: To increase in temperature.
   • Example: "I'll warm up some leftovers for dinner."

5. Write up

   • Meaning: To produce a document or report about something.
   • Example: "The scientist took weeks to write up the results of the experiment."

6. Back up (movement)

   • Meaning: To move backwards.
   • Example: "Please back up your car a bit so I can get out of the driveway."

7. Back up (support)

   • Meaning: To provide support or confirmation.
   • Example: "I will back you up in the meeting if they challenge your proposal."

8. Draw up

   • Meaning: To prepare a written document, often in a formal context.
   • Example: "The lawyers are drawing up the contract as we speak."

9. Cheer up

   • Meaning: Become happier or make someone happier.
   • Example: "I bought you some flowers to cheer you up after your tough week."

10. Clean up

• Meaning: Tidy or clean a space.
• Example: "We need to clean up the kitchen before our guests arrive."

11. Look up

• Meaning: Search for information in a reference book or online.
• Example: "I'll look up the restaurant's reviews before we decide to eat there."

12. Make up

• Meaning: Invent a story or lie, or reconcile after a disagreement.
• Example: "They finally made up after their argument last week."

13. Mix up

• Meaning: Confuse two items or people with one another.
• Example: "I mixed up the meeting dates and missed an important discussion."

14. Pick up

• Meaning: Lift something/someone from a surface, or improve in condition.
• Example: "Can you pick up some groceries on your way home?"

15. Shake up

• Meaning: To cause a substantial change in a situation.
• Example: "The new manager is going to shake up the old procedures."

16. Show up

• Meaning: Appear; arrive at a destination.
• Example: "He didn’t show up to the party, which was really disappointing."

17. Shut up

• Meaning: Stop talking; often used as a rude or angry command to demand silence.
• Example: "She told him to shut up during the argument."

18. Speak up

• Meaning: To talk louder, or to state one's opinion boldly.
• Example: "If you disagree with the decision, you should speak up during the meeting."

19. Speed up

• Meaning: Increase speed.
• Example: "The driver sped up as he entered the highway."

20. Split up

• Meaning: End a relationship or partnership.
• Example: "After five years of partnership, the founders decided to split up."

21. Tear up

• Meaning: Rip into pieces, or become very emotional.
• Example: "She teared up when she read the farewell card from her colleagues."

22. Tidy up

• Meaning: Arrange neatly; organize.
• Example: "Let's tidy up the living room before our guests arrive."

23. Use up

• Meaning: Consume all of something.
• Example: "We used up all the flour, so can you buy some more?"

24. Wake up

• Meaning: Stop sleeping; rouse from sleep.
• Example: "I wake up at 6 AM every morning for work."

25. Wash up

• Meaning: Clean oneself, another person, or an item with soap and water.
• Example: "Please wash up before dinner."

26. Brush up

• Meaning: Improve a skill, especially by practice.
• Example: "I need to brush up on my French before the trip to Paris."

27. Build up

• Meaning: Gradually increase.
• Example: "She is working hard to build up her stamina for the marathon."

28. Catch up

• Meaning: Reach the same point or level as someone else.
• Example: "I need to catch up on my reading over the weekend."

29. Chop up

• Meaning: Cut into small pieces.
• Example: "Could you chop up some onions for the salad?"

30. Dress up

• Meaning: Wear formal clothes, often to look nice for a special occasion.
• Example: "We have to dress up for the gala tonight."

31. Fill up

• Meaning: Make something full; often used with gas or food.
• Example: "I filled up the car with gas this morning."

32. Hold up

• Meaning: Delay or rob using threats.
• Example: "Traffic held me up, so I'll be late."

33. Kick up

• Meaning: Cause a disturbance or increase in intensity.
• Example: "The wind kicked up suddenly, scattering the papers everywhere."

Summary and Takeaways

To practice these phrasal verbs, engage in writing and speaking exercises that incorporate them into sentences. This will help embed them in your memory and improve your fluency.

Understanding these "up" phrasal verbs enriches your communicative abilities, allowing you to express actions and ideas more effectively and naturally.

Revisiting these phrases regularly and using them in appropriate contexts will help cement them in your memory, making them readily available when needed.

We encourage learners to share this knowledge with peers and join our community on Facebook at Learning English Free for more resources and interactive learning opportunities.