bar up
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To put metal or wooden bars across a door or window to stop people from getting in or out.
Literal meaning: Transparent — to put bars up on or across something.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To place bars across a door, window, or entrance to prevent entry or exit.
"The shop owner barred up the windows after the neighbourhood experienced a series of break-ins."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
To reinforce or seal a building against entry or escape.
"They barred up the old castle for the winter."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often describes the physical act of adding iron bars to windows or placing a bar across a door. Can be used literally or metaphorically. More common in historical and literary contexts.
Commonly used with
windows doors entrance gate shop building
Forms
Base
bar up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bars up
he/she/it
Past simple
bared up
yesterday
Past participle
bared up
have + pp
-ing form
baring up
continuous
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