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up
[ uhp ]
/ ʌp /
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adverb
to, toward, or in a more elevated position: to climb up to the top of a ladder.
to or in an erect position: to stand up.
out of bed: to get up.
above the horizon: The moon came up.
to or at any point that is considered higher.
to or at a source, origin, center, or the like: to follow a stream up to its source.
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!
ahead; in a leading position in a competition: He managed to get up on his opponent by three points.
in continuing contact, especially as reflecting continuing awareness, knowledge, etc.: to keep up with the latest developments in mathematics.
into or in activity, operation, etc.: to set up vibrations.
into a state of emotional agitation or distress: His insults left her all roiled up.
into existence, visible form, etc.: His sample was worked up in the studio.
into view, prominence, or consideration: The lost papers have turned up.
into or in a place of safekeeping, storage, retirement, etc.: to lay up riches;to put up preserves.
into or in a state of union, contraction, etc.: to add up a column of figures;to fold up.
to the required or final point: to pay up one's debts;burned up.
to a state of completion; to an end: She finished it all up.
to a halt: The riders reined up and dismounted.
Baseball. being the player or team batting; at bat.
(used as a function word for additional emphasis, sometimes preceded by it): Go wake your father up.What plugged it up?We laughed it up.
ahead of an opponent or opponents in points, games, etc.: The golfer was two strokes up on his nearest competitor.
each; apiece: The score was seven up in the final quarter.
(of machines or equipment, as computers) working; in working order or in operation.
Informal. without the addition of ice; straight up: Bring me a martini, up.
Nautical. toward the wind: Put the helm up.
preposition
to, toward, or at an elevated place on or in: They went up the stairs.The cat is up the tree.
to, toward, or at a high or higher station, condition, or rank on or in: He is well up the social ladder.
at or to a farther point or higher place on or in: She is up the street.I'm going up the street.
toward the source, origin, etc., of: up the stream.
toward a particular direction or in the interior of, as a region or territory: The explorers were up north.
in a course or direction that is contrary to that of: to row up the current.
adjective
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.
informed; familiar; aware (usually followed by on or in): She is always up on current events.
concluded; ended; finished; terminated: The game is up.Your hour is up.
going on or happening; taking place; occurring: What's up over there?
having a high position or station: He is up in society.
in an erect, vertical, or raised position: The gate at the railroad crossing is up.The tent is up.
above the earth or ground: The corn is up and ready to be harvested.
in the air; aloft: The meteorological balloons are up.The airplanes are up for their reconnaissance flights.
(of heavenly bodies) risen above the horizon: The sun is up.
awake or out of bed: to be up with insomnia.
mounted on horseback: He knows which jockeys are up in every race.
(of water in natural bodies) high with relation to the banks or shore: The tide is up.
built; constructed: The new museum is up and open to the public.
facing upward: He is resting and his face is up.
(of roads, highways, etc.) having the surface broken or removed (usually used in combination): a torn-up road.
in revolt, mutiny, or rebellious agitation: Many territories were up and preparing to send troops against the government.
in a state of agitation: Beware of him when his temper is up.
Informal. cheerful or optimistic; high-spirited; happy; exuberant; upbeat.
Informal. productive, favorable, or profitable: a string of up months for the company.
afoot or amiss: Her nervous manner told me that something was up.
in a state of enthusiastic or confident readiness (usually followed by for): The team was definitely up for the game.
bound; on the way: She was on a ship up for Australia.
resolved in an unfavorable or undesired way: They knew that their game was up.
higher than formerly in cost, amount, degree, etc.: The price of meat was up.
(of age) advanced (usually followed by in): He is rather spry for a man so up in years.
active: The captain wished to set sail as soon as the wind was up.
in a legal proceeding as defendant: He is up for murder.
in operation or ready for use: The theater's lights are up.
(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.
considered or under consideration: a candidate up for reelection;a bill that is up before Congress.
wagered; bet: He won all the money up in the game.
living or located inland or on elevated ground: They live in a village two miles up from the coast.
(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.
ahead of an opponent or opponents: They scored three times in a row to go two up.
noun
an upward movement; ascent.
a rise of fortune, mood, etc.
a time of good fortune, prosperity, or happiness: He has had more ups than downs in his career.
an upbound means of public transportation, as a train or bus.
Informal. a feeling or state of happiness, exuberance, or elation.
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.
an upward slope; elevation.
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.
Slang. upper2.
verb (used with object), upped, up·ping.
to put or take up.
to make larger; step up: to up output.
to raise; go better than (a preceding wager): to up the ante.
verb (used without object), upped, up·ping.
Informal. to start up; begin something abruptly (usually followed by and and another verb): Then he upped and ran away from home.
(often used imperatively or hortatively) to rise up: Up, men, and fight until all the enemy are defeated!
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Idioms about up
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.
go up in one's lines. line1 (def. 71).
- back and forth; backward and forward: He paced up and down.
- from top to bottom or head to toe: She looked me up and down before replying.
- 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.
- in full realization or attainment of: He worked up to president of the company.
- as many as; to the limit of: The car will seat up to five persons.
- having adequate powers or ability for; capable of; equal to: He didn't think I was up to the job.
- the duty or responsibility of; incumbent upon: It's up to you to break the news to him.
- engaged in; contriving; doing: What have you been up to lately?
on the up and up, Informal. frank; honest; sincere: He seems to be on the up and up.Also on the up-and-up.
straight up. straight (def. 34).
up against, faced or confronted with: They were up against formidable obstacles.
up against it, in a difficult situation, especially in financial straits: There was no one to help him when he was up against it.
up and around, recovered from an illness; able to leave one's bed.Also up and about.
up and doing, Informal. actively engaged; alert; busy: During her convalescence she longed to be up and doing.
up and down,
up for, considered as eligible or as a possibility for (something): The child is up for adoption.Three actresses are up for the role.
up to,
Origin of up
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
Words nearby up
unyoke, unzip, unzipped, UO, U. of S. Afr., up, up a creek, up against, upalong, up-anchor, up and about
Other definitions for up (2 of 4)
Origin of up-
Middle English; Old English
Other definitions for up (3 of 4)
up.
abbreviation
underproof (alcohol).
upper.
Other definitions for up (4 of 4)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use up in a sentence
“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
We won't find out this season, though it comes up occasionally.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEASTKickstarter is one start-up platform that seems to have realized the danger.
The most recent issue contains detailed instructions for building car bombs, and the magazine frequently draws up hit-lists.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEASTWhat need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. LockeMost of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.
The Giant of the North|R.M. BallantyneSome weeks after, the creditor chanced to be in Boston, and in walking up Tremont street, encountered his enterprising friend.
In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our little army on the march.
The bride elect rushes up to him, and so they both step down to the foot-lights.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
British Dictionary definitions for up (1 of 3)
up
/ (ʌp) /
preposition
indicating movement from a lower to a higher positionclimbing up a mountain
at a higher or further level or position in or onsoot up the chimney; a shop up the road
adverb
(often particle) to an upward, higher, or erect position, esp indicating readiness for an activitylooking up at the stars; up and doing something
(particle) indicating intensity or completion of an actionhe tore up the cheque; drink up now!
to the place referred to or where the speaker isthe man came up and asked the way
- to a more important placeup to London
- to a more northerly placeup to Scotland
- (of a member of some British universities) to or at university
- in a particular part of the countryup north
above the horizonthe sun is up
appearing for trialup before the magistrate
having gainedten pounds up on the deal
higher in pricecoffee is up again
raised (for discussion, etc)the plan was up for consideration
taughtwell up in physics
(functioning as imperative) get, stand, etc, upup with you!
all up with informal
- over; finished
- doomed to die
up with (functioning as imperative) wanting the beginning or continuation ofup with the monarchy!
something's up informal something strange is happening
up against
- touching
- having to cope withlook what we're up against now
up and running in operation; functioning properly
up for
- as a candidate or applicant forhe's up for re-election again
- informal keen or willing to tryshe's up for anything
up for it informal keen or willing to try something out or make a good effortit's a big challenge and I'm up for it
up to
- devising or scheming; occupied withshe's up to no good
- dependent or incumbent uponthe decision is up to you
- equal to (a challenge, etc) or capable of (doing, etc)are you up to playing in the final?
- aware ofup to a person's tricks
- as far asup to his waist in mud
- as many asup to two years' waiting time
- comparable withnot up to your normal standard
up top informal in the head or mind
up yours slang a vulgar expression of contempt or refusal
what's up? informal
- what is the matter?
- what is happening?
adjective
(predicative) of a high or higher position
(predicative) out of bed; awakethe children aren't up yet
(prenominal) of or relating to a train or trains to a more important place or one regarded as higherthe up platform
(predicative) over or completedthe examiner announced that their time was up
(predicative) beating one's opponent by a specified amountthree goals up by half-time
verb ups, upping or upped
(tr) to increase or raise
(intr; foll by and with a verb) informal to do (something) suddenly, unexpectedly, etcshe upped and married someone else
noun
high point; good or pleasant period (esp in the phrase ups and downs)
slang another word (esp US) for upper (def. 9)
on the up and up
- trustworthy or honest
- British on the upward trend or movementour firm's on the up and up
up oneself slang self-absorbed or arroganthe's so up himself
Word Origin for up
Old English upp; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse up, Old High German ūf, Gothic iup
usage for up
The use of up before until is redundant and should be avoided: the talks will continue until (not up until) 23rd March
British Dictionary definitions for up (2 of 3)
UP
abbreviation for
United Press
Uttar Pradesh
British Dictionary definitions for up (3 of 3)
up-
prefix
up, upper, or upwardsuproot; upmost; upthrust; upgrade; uplift
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with up
up
In addition to the idioms beginning with up
- up a creek
- up against
- up and about
- up and at 'em
- up a tree
- up for grabs
- up front
- up in arms
- up in the air
- up one's alley
- up one's sleeve
- up on something, be
- ups and downs
- upside the head
- up the creek
- up the river
- up the wall
- up to
- up to a point
- up to date
- up to no good
- up to one's ears
- up to one's old tricks
- up to par
- up yours
also see:
- act up
- add up
- add up to
- all shook up
- all up
- ante up
- back up
- ball up
- bang up
- bark up the wrong tree
- bear up
- beat up
- beef up
- bid up
- blow up
- bob up
- bone up
- boot up
- bottle up
- bound up in
- brace up
- break up
- bring up
- bring up the rear
- bring up to date
- brush up
- buckle up
- buck up
- buddy up
- build up
- bump up
- burn up
- butter up
- button up
- buy up
- call up
- camp it up
- card up one's sleeve
- catch up
- chalk up
- charge up
- chat up
- cheer up
- choke up
- choose up
- clam up
- clean up
- clear up
- clock up
- close up
- cloud over (up)
- come (up) from behind
- come up
- come up against
- come up roses
- come up with
- cook up
- cough up
- cover up
- cozy up
- cracked up
- crack up
- crank up
- crap up
- creep up on
- crop up
- cross up
- curl up
- cut up
- dead from the neck up
- dig up
- doll up
- double up
- do up
- draw up
- dream up
- dress up
- drum up
- dry up
- ease off (up)
- eat out (someone up)
- eat up
- end up
- face up to
- fed to the gills (up)
- feel up
- feel up to
- figure up
- fire up
- fit out (up)
- fix up
- fix up with
- flare up
- fold up
- follow up
- foul up
- from the ground up
- fuck up
- game is up
- gang up
- gas up
- get someone's back up
- get up
- get up on the wrong side of bed
- get up steam
- give oneself up
- give up
- give up the ghost
- go belly up
- goof up
- go up
- go up in flames
- grow up
- gum up
- ham up
- hands up
- hang up
- hard up
- haul up
- have had it (up to here)
- heads up
- head up
- heat up
- hit up
- hold one's end up
- hold one's head high (up)
- hold up
- hole up
- hook up
- hopped up
- hurry up and wait
- hush up
- jack up
- jazz up
- juice up
- keep it up
- keep one's chin up
- keep (someone) up
- key up
- kick up
- kick up a fuss
- kick up one's heels
- kiss and make up
- knock up
- laid up
- land in (up)
- lap up
- lark it up
- laugh up one's sleeve
- lay in (up)
- lead down (up) the garden path
- lead up to
- leg up
- let up
- lighten up
- light up
- line up
- live it up
- live up to
- lock up
- look over (up and down)
- look up
- louse up
- make up
- make up for lost time
- make up one's mind
- make up to
- mark up
- measure up
- meet up with
- mess up
- mix it up
- mix up
- mop up
- mop up the floor with
- move up
- muck up
- not all it's cracked up to be
- number's up
- one up
- on the up-and-up
- open up
- own up
- pair off (up)
- pass up
- patch up
- pay up
- pep someone up
- perk up
- pick up
- pick up on
- pile up
- pipe up
- play up
- play up to
- pluck up
- point up
- pony up
- pop up
- prick up one's ears
- psych up
- pull oneself up
- pull up
- pull up stakes
- pump up
- push up daisies
- put one's feet up
- put someone up to
- put up
- put-up job
- put up or shut up
- put up with
- rack up
- rake up
- read up
- rev up
- ride up
- right-side up
- right up one's alley
- ring up
- roll up
- roll up one's sleeves
- rough up
- round up
- rub up on
- run (up) against
- run up
- rustle up
- save up for
- scare up
- scrape up an acquaintance
- screw up
- scrounge around (up)
- scrub up
- seal off (up)
- seize up
- send up
- serve up
- settle up
- set up
- set up housekeeping
- sew up
- shack up
- shake up
- shape up
- shine up to
- shoot up
- shore up
- shot up
- show up
- shut up
- sign up
- sit up
- sit up and take notice
- size up
- slip up
- slow up
- smell up
- snap up
- soak up
- soften up
- somebody up there loves me
- speak out (up)
- speed up
- spit up
- spruce up
- square up
- stack up
- stand up
- stand up and be counted
- stand up for
- stand up to
- stand up with
- start up
- steamed up
- step up
- stick up
- stir up
- stir up a hornets' nest
- stop up
- straighten up
- straight up
- string up
- suck up to
- suit up
- sum up
- take up
- take up a collection
- take up arms
- take up for
- take up on
- take up space
- take up where one left off
- take up with
- talk up
- tank up
- team up with
- think up
- throw up
- throw up one's hands
- thumbs up
- tie up
- time is up
- tone down (up)
- tool up
- (up) to the hilt
- touch up
- trade down (up)
- trial balloon, send up a
- trip up
- trump up
- tune up
- turn up
- turn up one's nose
- turn up one's toes
- turn up the heat
- turn up trumps
- wait up
- wake-up call
- warm up
- wash up
- what's cooking (up)
- what's (up) with
- whip up
- whoop it up
- wind up
- wise up
- worked up
- work one's way (up)
- work up
- wrapped up
- wrap up
- write up
Also see underupper.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.