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• get-up
  get-up

  noun

  getup.
• get up
  get up

  verb

  to wake and rise from one's bed or cause to wake and rise from bed

get-up

American  

[get-uhp] / ˈgɛtˌʌp /

noun

1. getup.

2. get-up-and-go.

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get up British  

verb

1. to wake and rise from one's bed or cause to wake and rise from bed

2. (intr) to rise to one's feet; stand up

3. (also preposition) to ascend or cause to ascend

   the old van couldn't get up the hill

4. to mount or help to mount (a bicycle, horse, etc)

5. to increase or cause to increase in strength

   the wind got up at noon

6. informal (tr) to dress (oneself) in a particular way, esp showily or elaborately

7. informal (tr) to devise or create

   to get up an entertainment for Christmas

8. informal (tr) to study or improve one's knowledge of

   I must get up my history

9. informal to be involved in

   he's always getting up to mischief

10. informal (intr) to win, esp in a sporting event

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noun

1. informal a costume or outfit, esp one that is striking or bizarre

2. informal the arrangement or production of a book, etc

get up Idioms  

1. Arise from bed; also, sit or stand up. For example, Once I get up and have coffee, I'm ready to work . One of Irving Berlin's earliest hit songs was “Oh! How I hate to Get Up in the Morning” (1918). [Mid-1300s]

2. Ascend, mount, as in I hate to get up on a ladder . [First half of 1500s]

3. Create or organize, as in She got up the petition against zoning . [Late 1500s]

4. Dress or adorn, as in She plans to get herself up in a bizarre outfit . This usage is most often put in the form of the past participle ( got up ), as in The wedding albums were got up with ruffles and lace . [Late 1700s]

5. Draw on, create in oneself, as in I finally got up the nerve to quit , or Joe got up his courage and told the boss he was leaving . [Early 1800s] Also see get someone's back up ; also see the subsequent idioms beginning with get up .

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Example Sentences

Parents know that ‘touch a truck’ events held in many small towns, where enthusiasts can get up close with bright red firetrucks, are undeniable winners with small children.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

The zoologist George Schaller traveled the globe to get up close and personal with tigers, gorillas and other animals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

She’s sleeping well right at this exact moment—but today she woke up every hour from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., at which point we all had to get up to get ready for the day.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

Stay-at-home moms and dads could get up to five years of credits toward Social Security under a new bill tabled before Congress.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

He watches from the rearview mirror as I get up from my seat and reach into my pocket.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• awake
• awaken
• climb
• stand