up
adverb
to, toward, or in a more elevated position.
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u-p-.
up
1 American
[uhp]
/ ʌp /
adverb
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to, toward, or in a more elevated position.
to climb up to the top of a ladder.
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to or in an erect position.
to stand up.
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out of bed.
to get up.
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above the horizon.
The moon came up.
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to or at any point that is considered higher.
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to or at a source, origin, center, or the like.
to follow a stream up to its source.
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to or at a higher point or degree, as of rank, size, value, pitch, loudness, brightness, maturity, or speed.
to move up in a firm;
to pump up a tire;
to turn a lantern up;
Prices are going up.
Speak up! Hurry up!
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ahead; in a leading position in a competition.
He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
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in continuing contact, especially as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc..
to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
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into or in activity, operation, etc..
to set up vibrations.
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into a state of emotional agitation or distress.
His insults left her all roiled up.
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into existence, visible form, etc..
His sample was worked up in the studio.
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into view, prominence, or consideration.
The lost papers have turned up.
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into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc..
to lay up riches;
to put up preserves.
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into or in a state of union, contraction, etc..
to add up a column of figures;
to fold up.
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to the required or final point.
to pay up one's debts;
burned up.
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to a state of completion; to an end.
She finished it all up.
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to a halt.
The riders reined up and dismounted.
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Baseball. being the player or team batting; at bat.
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(used as a function word for additional emphasis, sometimes preceded byit ).
Go wake your father up.
What plugged it up?
We laughed it up.
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ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc..
The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
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each; apiece.
The score was seven up in the final quarter.
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(of machines or equipment, as computers) working; in working order or in operation.
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Informal. without the addition of ice; straight up.
Bring me a martini, up.
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Nautical. toward the wind.
Put the helm up.
preposition
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to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in.
They went up the stairs.
The cat is up the tree.
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to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in.
He is well up the social ladder.
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at or to a farther point or higher place on or in.
She is up the street.
I'm going up the street.
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toward the source, origin, etc., of.
up the stream.
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toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory.
The explorers were up north.
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in a course or direction that is contrary to that of.
to row up the current.
adjective
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moving in or related to a direction that is up or is regarded as up.
the up elevator;
the up train traveling north;
the up platform of a railroad station.
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informed; familiar; aware (usually followed by on orin ).
She is always up on current events.
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concluded; ended; finished; terminated.
The game is up.
Your hour is up.
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going on or happening; taking place; occurring.
What's up over there?
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having a high position or station.
He is up in society.
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in an erect, vertical, or raised position.
The gate at the railroad crossing is up.
The tent is up.
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above the earth or ground.
The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
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in the air; aloft.
The meteorological balloons are up.
The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
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(of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon.
The sun is up.
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awake or out of bed.
to be up with insomnia.
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mounted on horseback.
He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
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(of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore.
The tide is up.
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built; constructed.
The new museum is up and open to the public.
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facing upward.
He is resting and his face is up.
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(of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination).
a torn-up road.
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in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation.
Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
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in a state of agitation.
Beware of him when his temper is up.
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Informal. cheerful or optimistic; high-spirited; happy; exuberant; upbeat.
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Informal. productive, favorable, or profitable.
a string of up months for the company.
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afoot or amiss.
Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
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in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually followed byfor ).
The team was definitely up for the game.
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bound; on the way.
She was on a ship up for Australia.
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resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way.
They knew that their game was up.
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higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc..
The price of meat was up.
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(of age) advanced (usually followed byin ).
He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
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active.
The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
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in a legal proceeding as defendant.
He is up for murder.
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in operation or ready for use.
The theater's lights are up.
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(of points or other standards used to determine the winner in a competition) ahead; in advance.
He won the game with two points up over his opponent.
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considered or under consideration.
a candidate up for reelection;
a bill that is up before Congress.
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wagered; bet.
He won all the money up in the game.
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living or located inland or on elevated ground.
They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
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(used with a preceding numeral to indicate that a score is tied in a competition).
It was 10 up at the end of the first half.
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ahead of an opponent or opponents.
They scored three times in a row to go two up.
noun
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an upward movement; ascent.
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a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
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a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness.
He has had more ups than downs in his career.
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an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
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Informal. a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
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a person or thing that is in a favorable position of wealth, fortune, etc..
People who were ups in the business world suffered losses in the economic depression.
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an upward slope; elevation.
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an upward course or rise, as in price or value.
The landlord promised his tenants there would be no further ups in the rent this year.
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Slang. upper.
verb (used with object)
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ups,
present (3rd person singular)
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upped,
past participle, past
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upping
present participle
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to put or take up.
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to make larger; step up.
to up output.
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to raise; go better than (a preceding wager).
to up the ante.
verb (used without object)
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ups,
present (3rd person singular)
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upped,
past participle, past
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upping
present participle
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Informal. to start up; begin something abruptly (usually followed by and and another verb).
Then he upped and ran away from home.
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(often used imperatively or hortatively) to rise up.
Up, men, and fight until all the enemy are defeated!
idioms
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up and doing, actively engaged; alert; busy.
During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.
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up for, considered as eligible or as a possibility for (something).
The child is up for adoption.
Three actresses are up for the role.
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on the up and up, frank; honest; sincere: Also on the up-and-up.
He seems to be on the up and up.
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all up with, at or approaching the end of; with defeat or ruin imminent for.
He realized it was all up with him when the search party began to close in.
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straight up. straight.
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up against it, in a difficult situation, especially in financial straits.
There was no one to help him when he was up against it.
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up and down,
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back and forth; backward and forward.
He paced up and down.
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from top to bottom or head to toe.
She looked me up and down before replying.
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go up in one's lines. line.
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up and around, recovered from an illness; able to leave one's bed. Also up and about.
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up to,
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as far as or approaching (a certain part, degree, point, etc.).
She went wading up to her knees.
I am up to the eighth lesson.
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in full realization or attainment of.
He worked up to president of the company.
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as many as; to the limit of.
The car will seat up to five persons.
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having adequate powers or ability for; capable of; equal to.
He didn't think I was up to the job.
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the duty or responsibility of; incumbent upon.
It's up to you to break the news to him.
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engaged in; contriving; doing.
What have you been up to lately?
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up your ass, shove. Also up yours
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up against, faced or confronted with.
They were up against formidable obstacles.
up-
2
American
up.
3
American
abbreviation
-
underproof (alcohol).
-
upper.
U.P.
4
American
abbreviation
up
1
British
/ ʌp /
preposition
-
indicating movement from a lower to a higher position
climbing up a mountain
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at a higher or further level or position in or on
soot up the chimney
a shop up the road
adverb
-
(often particle) to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activity
looking up at the stars
up and doing something
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(particle) indicating intensity or completion of an action
he tore up the cheque
drink up now!
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to the place referred to or where the speaker is
the man came up and asked the way
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to a more important place
up to London
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to a more northerly place
up to Scotland
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(of a member of some British universities) to or at university
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in a particular part of the country
up north
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-
above the horizon
the sun is up
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appearing for trial
up before the magistrate
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having gained
ten pounds up on the deal
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higher in price
coffee is up again
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raised (for discussion, etc)
the plan was up for consideration
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taught
well up in physics
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(functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, up
up with you!
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informal
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over; finished
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doomed to die
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(functioning as imperative) wanting the beginning or continuation of
up with the monarchy!
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informal something strange is happening
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touching
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having to cope with
look what we're up against now
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in operation; functioning properly
-
-
as a candidate or applicant for
he's up for re-election again
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informal keen or willing to try
she's up for anything
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informal keen or willing to try something out or make a good effort
it's a big challenge and I'm up for it
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devising or scheming; occupied with
she's up to no good
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dependent or incumbent upon
the decision is up to you
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equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc)
are you up to playing in the final?
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aware of
up to a person's tricks
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as far as
up to his waist in mud
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as many as
up to two years' waiting time
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comparable with
not up to your normal standard
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informal in the head or mind
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slang a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
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informal
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what is the matter?
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what is happening?
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adjective
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(predicative) of a high or higher position
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(predicative) out of bed; awake
the children aren't up yet
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(prenominal) of or relating to a train or trains to a more important place or one regarded as higher
the up platform
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(predicative) over or completed
the examiner announced that their time was up
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(predicative) beating one's opponent by a specified amount
three goals up by half-time
verb
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(tr) to increase or raise
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informal (intr; foll by and with a verb) to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etc
she upped and married someone else
noun
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high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs )
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slang another word (esp US) for upper
-
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trustworthy or honest
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on the upward trend or movement
our firm's on the up and up
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slang self-absorbed or arrogant
he's so up himself
UP
2
British
abbreviation
-
United Press
-
Uttar Pradesh
up-
3
British
prefix
up
More Idioms
Usage
The use of up before until is redundant and should be avoided: the talks will continue until (not up until ) 23rd March
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
upsimple
-
upssimple
-
have uppedperfect
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has uppedperfect
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am uppingprogressive
-
are uppingprogressive
-
is uppingprogressive
-
have been uppingperfect progressive
-
has been uppingperfect progressive
Past
-
uppedsimple
-
had uppedperfect
-
was uppingprogressive
-
were uppingprogressive
-
had been uppingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of up1
First recorded before 900; Middle English up(pe) (adverb), Old English up(p) “to a higher position,” uppe “in a higher position”; cognate with Old Frisian up, Old Saxon up, Middle Dutch up, op, Old Norse upp; akin to Old High German ūf (which gave rise to German auf ), Gothic iup
Origin of up-2
Middle English; Old English
Explanation
Up is a word that means "from lower to higher," so you can use it when you go up in a hot air balloon, when you look up at the clouds, or when you graduate from high school and move up in the world. As an adjective or adverb, up almost always conveys a movement or position that's higher (or sometimes, northward). You jump up and put your shoes on when you're late for school, turn up the volume on the car stereo when your favorite song comes on, get cheered up by your new kitten, and watch the prices at your favorite bakery go up as it becomes more popular. In the 1500s, the verb up also meant "to catch swans."
Vocabulary lists containing up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Although that is much slower than an Olympic swimmer, who can travel up to 65 body lengths per minute, it is comparable to the swimming pace of a cow shark moving leisurely through the ocean.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Meanwhile, Hollywood Park’s legal losses are stacking up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Newcastle had already sold England forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a deal worth more than £69m and midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
Those in the least active group reported up to four hours per week, the moderately active group reported four to eight hours, and the most active group reported more than eight hours.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
She brushes back her wet hair and stares up at me.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
But no contaminants have been found in the water, Maryland officials say, after samples were taken both up- and down-river.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2024
Noteworthy, both up- or down-regulation of ATP8B1-CDC50 function could potentially be of interest in drug discovery, and the study also reveals critical information to such applications.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2023
Algorithms don’t try to anticipate what I want to see, and neither is my feed determined by the whims of a random group of people who can up- or downvote things into oblivion.
From The Verge ● Dec. 8, 2018
Usually, it rains an average of 263 days a year in Cologne, which means the Rhine is almost always full of swift-moving water and diesel-fume-belching barges tugging their way up- and downstream.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2018
These are my final words, but you’ll be hearing from me again, ’cause I’m an up- and-rising activist.
From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones
“They’ll show up. They’ll crawl over broken glass.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
“She recorded the opening theme song for our series right before she blew up. We know things!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
"That just cannot go on any longer," Georgieva added, "because interest rates are up and borrowing costs are also up. It is not affordable."
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
"It's good to have an international break coming up. It's good for the players to change environment, play their football elsewhere, then come back in with new energy."
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
“I’ll call Israel’s parents to set something up. Maybe Saturday?”
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
But wolf density appears to have shifted, decreasing in some areas of the western U.P. and rising in parts of the peninsula’s eastern region, DNR wildlife biologist Brian Roell said.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 18, 2023
“The U.P. stands with Karl Bohnak!” the congressman wrote Friday.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 18, 2021
Why to go: The U.P., as it’s called, seems a world apart.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 16, 2021
Nick Derusha, a health officer in four U.P. counties, said there’s “pandemic fatigue” among some residents.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 13, 2020
Both of us had our moments of getting back to nature, Chapter Eleven in the U.P. and me in my bush in Golden Gate Park.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
From May 7 to 21, there was a significant increase in purchases of put options on Futu and UP Fintech, according to Susquehanna’s lawsuit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
But in the case of the Futu and UP Fintech trades, Susquehanna said it faced an even more knowledgeable opponent—traders who knew the companies were in the crosshairs of regulators in Beijing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
The UP police also travelled hundreds of kilometres to Paschim Bardhaman in West Bengal, where they handed over 500,000 rupees to the family of Vinod Ruidas.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2025
Some surprises are evident, but the overriding theme as usual is up, UP, UP!
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2025
HE’S UP IN the pigeon loft, feeding the birds.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
The Bank of England carefully watches services inflation and core inflation, and this ups the odds significantly for a rise in interest rates next month.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
For most of the season, through ups, downs and injuries, Ohtani has led off.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
It feels like there will be ups and downs throughout, given the age of the side, but Jaissle has been struck by the backing of supporters and has quickly settled into life on Tyneside.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Business spending in the supply chain is much bigger and more volatile than final consumption and does a better job of measuring the ups and downs of the business cycle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
He liked neither getting wet nor the ups and downs of the boat.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
The incumbent, on the cusp of 81, has meanwhile upped his social media game at the eleventh hour, posting selfie-mode videos and even buying his first-ever cell phone.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
The 27-year-old had only 13 runs from the first 24 deliveries he faced, then upped the pace to reach 50 from 42 balls.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
But Sorkin has changed his name and upped his age, so as fun and ferocious as Burr is, we also spend his scenes feeling a little confused.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
A colleague of his, whose job at Anthropic is to lead research about steering and controlling future AI systems, upped the ante, estimating the extinction risk over the next decade is greater than 10%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Here I've upped it to six or seven, mainly because I'm too lazy to do anything else.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
The ubiquity of AI-assisted answering—not to mention the risk of hiring candidates who might be lying about where they live, or even working for North Korea—has companies upping their screening tactics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
The company said it plans to use the funds to repurchase additional Disney shares, upping its target for fiscal 2026 repurchases to be at least $9 billion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
"Our work reveals how a lack of arginine interferes with the immune system, and suggests that upping arginine intake could prove beneficial," says first author Qiushuang Wu, a postdoc in the lab.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026
It’s a new era at Verizon Communications, and the company is upping its financial forecasts as it makes progress under the current leadership team.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
One way the permits had been reduced was simply by annually upping their cost by about two cents per head.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
