collect up
A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To pick up all the scattered things and put them together in one place.
Literal meaning: Fully transparent: to collect all items up into a group.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To gather scattered physical objects and bring them together in one place.
"At the end of the lesson, the teacher asked the students to collect up the worksheets."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To accumulate or amass things over time.
"Over the years, he collected up enough vintage stamps to fill three albums."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in British English; the 'up' adds completeness — implying all items are gathered. Frequently used by teachers, parents, and organisers. American English more commonly uses 'gather up' or 'collect'.
Commonly used with
books plates papers toys rubbish equipment
Forms
Base
collect up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
collects up
he/she/it
Past simple
collected up
yesterday
Past participle
collected up
have + pp
-ing form
collecting up
continuous
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