blanch up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To go very pale very quickly, usually because you are scared or shocked.
Literal meaning: To bleach or whiten suddenly — relatively transparent.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
To become suddenly and visibly pale, especially in response to shock, fear, or bad news.
"He blanched up when he heard that his wallet had been stolen."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very rare and non-standard. 'Blanch' alone carries the full meaning in standard usage. 'Blanch up' appears occasionally in informal speech as an emphatic variant but is not found in major dictionaries. ESL learners should prefer 'go pale,' 'blanch,' or 'turn white.'
Commonly used with
face suddenly shock fear sight news
Forms
Base
blanch up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blanches up
he/she/it
Past simple
blanched up
yesterday
Past participle
blanched up
have + pp
-ing form
blanching up
continuous
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