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beam up

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To use a magic or science-fiction machine to move someone instantly from one place to another.

Literal meaning: To send someone upward via a beam of energy — transparent in its science-fiction context.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

In science fiction, especially Star Trek, to transport someone instantaneously using a transporter beam.

"The captain ordered them to beam up the injured crew members immediately."

"Beam me up, Scotty."

— Star Trek franchise (popularized cultural paraphrase; closest original: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, 1986)
Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

Informally, to wish or imagine removing someone from a bad or boring situation instantly. (Humorous)

"By the third hour of the meeting, I was ready to be beamed up to anywhere else in the universe."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Originates from the Star Trek franchise ('Beam me up, Scotty'). Used widely as a pop-culture reference and humorous expression in everyday English. The full phrase 'Beam me up, Scotty' is a famous cultural reference, though it was never said in exactly that form in the original series.

Commonly used with

Scotty Enterprise transporter alien ship

Forms

Base
beam up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
beams up
he/she/it
Past simple
beamed up
yesterday
Past participle
beamed up
have + pp
-ing form
beaming up
continuous

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