cramp up
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When your muscles suddenly hurt and go tight and you can't move properly.
Literal meaning: To cramp means to restrict painfully; 'up' intensifies the completeness of the muscle contraction.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a muscle to contract suddenly and painfully, making movement difficult.
"Her calf cramped up badly during the final kilometre of the marathon."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To become physically tense or restricted in movement due to cold, poor posture, or prolonged inactivity.
"Sitting in that tiny seat for ten hours made my whole back cramp up."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Almost exclusively used in a physical/medical context. Common in sports commentary and everyday conversation about exercise. Often used with body parts: 'my leg cramped up'.
Commonly used with
leg calf foot muscle stomach swimmer
Forms
Base
cramp up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cramps up
he/she/it
Past simple
cramped up
yesterday
Past participle
cramped up
have + pp
-ing form
cramping up
continuous
Understand "cramp up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "cramp up" on Looplines