wind up

British  

/ waɪnd /

verb

1. to bring to or reach a conclusion

   he wound up the proceedings

2. (tr) to tighten the spring of (a clockwork mechanism)

3. informal (tr; usually passive) to make nervous, tense, etc; excite

   he was all wound up before the big fight

4. (tr) to roll (thread, etc) into a ball

5. an informal word for liquidate

6. informal (intr) to end up (in a specified state)

   you'll wind up without any teeth

7. (tr; usually passive) to involve; entangle

   they were wound up in three different scandals

8. (tr) to hoist or haul up

9. slang (tr) to tease (someone)

---

noun

1. the act of concluding

2. the finish; end

3. slang an act or instance of teasing

   she just thinks it's a big wind-up

wind up Idioms  

1. Come or bring to a finish, as in The party was winding up, so we decided to leave , or Let's wind up the meeting and get back to work . [Early 1800s] Also see wind down .

2. Put in order, settle, as in She had to wind up her affairs before she could move . [Late 1700s]

3. Arrive somewhere following a course of action, end up, as in We got lost and wound up in another town altogether , or If you're careless with your bank account, you can wind up overdrawn . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]

---

Example Sentences

The Patriots could wind up the top seed and aren’t going to let down against a Jets team that doesn’t have much to offer.

From Los Angeles Times

There we drove along an icy gravel road that cut into the side of a hill, winding up and up until we found a pullover at which to park.

From The Wall Street Journal

Great performances, frightening plot twists and three guesses where they all wind up.

From Los Angeles Times

Much of Southern California also is under a high-wind watch Tuesday through Thursday, with winds up to 50 to 80 mph possible in the mountains and foothills.

From Los Angeles Times

“Whether or not they wind up moving to Israel, that’s a good indication of whether her partner is as committed to her as she is to him,” Bobby says.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• close
• complete
• conclude
• do
• end up
• finish up
• settle
• wrap up