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book up

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

When a hotel, restaurant, or event has no more places left because everyone has already reserved them.

Literal meaning: To fill the reservations book up to capacity — all lines in the bookings register are full.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

(Of a place or service) To have all available spaces or reservations taken.

"That restaurant is booked up every weekend — you need to call at least three weeks ahead."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To reserve all available spaces at a venue or in a service.

"The conference organisers booked up the entire hotel for the three-day event."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

(Of a person) To have one's schedule completely full of appointments or commitments.

"I'm completely booked up this month — can we meet in early December?"

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very commonly used in the passive voice: 'The hotel is booked up.' Also used actively: 'Visitors booked up the resort months in advance.' Applies to hotels, restaurants, theatres, courses, doctors' appointments, and similar services. Widely used in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

hotel restaurant flight resort doctor venue

Forms

Base
book up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
books up
he/she/it
Past simple
booked up
yesterday
Past participle
booked up
have + pp
-ing form
booking up
continuous

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